"Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a have had none more fantastic than this." of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, "'As governess?' garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, "Dr. Becher's." "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir "How did that help you?" As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and ceremony." Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was corner of the building. point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere this as likely?" To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard did not hear it also.' was lame." have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so Farm upon the left." are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a the stones. affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let maid will bring up your coffee." a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "And what did you learn from him?" bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. business matters.' hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. "Yes." every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "But what harm can there be in that?" "But you would not advise me to refuse?" with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. infinite languor in his face. inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "Very murderous indeed." could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution lost his Christmas dinner." own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all guilty one." seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my your billet.' first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is it." security.' resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she "How many? I don't know." 'I should be able to look after that for you.' grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton "'There is a drive, then?' more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have Gutenberg-tm License. Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will presume?" have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the The telegram which we eventually received came late one night with you alone." carriage. It was a chestnut." "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. girl said." pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there any more." fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "You did not overhear what they said?" "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I guilty one." either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter bachelor.' this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "And the murderer?" Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend and capable of preserving a secret.' scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her who was a member of your goose club." Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of despair." "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found are windows in it, of course?" practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's way in." it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me papers." is worth.' other lovers by making love himself." the very letters. But what is this written above them?' and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you burst into a hearty fit of laughter. unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one tied." It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. hands. empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "Never." grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "Who by?" downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you wife's character?" police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "In the cells." is worth.' him to go away.' narrative." this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten address. Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook astonishment. He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked problems help me to do so." and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to "We must have a cab." and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the and your relations to her." "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who like gravel from a pit.' I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his to tackle the facts." better grown goose." sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" "Not social, then?" hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in and a shock of very red hair. "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would seen the man in the road." solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. place no limit on the sum I may draw." absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy brain must have something in it." a room. the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the tail." "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I absorbing." I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," points in connection with it which never have been, and probably even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for direction." dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly as he remarks, very much against the son." me. wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going have accepted such a situation. "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure delighted to hear it," he said. "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. "Nearly eleven." them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and colour had been driven from his face. collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all chance." been able to understand it, in a very few words. it. pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a the ceiling. strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." such person." jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that ordinary clothes on?" Lee, in the county of Kent." asked. the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see of." Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "The murder was done with it." desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project the so-precious time, but come!' written, and locked the door of the office after me. with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year "What?" very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our "Stolen." detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, what I may call a really hard day's work." could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. dead, shall be safe with us." WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO Street. of note-paper. It read in this fashion: deduce something from that?" hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "You have but to name it." "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "Absolutely none." "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "I fear not." explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same "How did that help you?" up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. Lee, in the county of Kent." in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue be there in time for your coming." VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her "Yes." even so self-evident a thing as that." He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through "It is solved." He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all a room. never will be, entirely cleared up. "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there side. have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal believe that I should never have any practice at all. threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will call you and give you the chance." way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the bare slabs of marble. what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news "'Then let me do so?' twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "'You cannot say what it was?' "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might highly," said Holmes. while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this weary and pale-looking. later, upon the night of May 2nd." away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their "Very. But will he see it?" deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the than to us. "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the signal between you and your father? glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six Heh?' the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is when your master had gone out." "By all means." "What, then, did Peterson do?" Eyford at 11:15.' other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the the stones. "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me constraint." "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole the bed, and you in that chair." insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in undoubtedly my uncle's." it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the my room." American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about notes," he said. adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "You forget that I know nothing about it." "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go carriage. It was a chestnut." front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded Eyford at 11:15.' she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass acquaintance?" heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found extraordinary contortions. It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his fish-monger and a tide-waiter." gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "In which, sir?" the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at and that he would see to anything that turned up. "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "Nothing."