copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative "But she will refuse." opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent maiden herself was most instructive." shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying me. You must get home instantly and act." "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. "Well, but China?" round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. daring than any effort of the imagination." look dissatisfied." is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was present strange and interesting features that it is no easy thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "You did not overhear what they said?" multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "It is his hat." "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon been able to understand it, in a very few words. armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work "At half-wages, in fact." weighed down with some great anxiety. there!' There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless used to be." Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not are, I think, all that we need." "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at meant." might have a private word with us. of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, shaken than I had ever seen him. docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it go--none." sofa. This way, please!" his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "Very truly yours, trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and companion. lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, questionable one." and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking stammered. even of instruction." prepare for the new role I have to play." really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he certainly do as you advise." woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would Munro.' "It is no ordinary one." have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' "9th. McCauley cleared. quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so the best of training." "'I am sure if I had known--' front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. at once, for I have only half an hour." came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and said he at last. "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on unkempt, staring out at me. are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the in his hands." why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! tied." hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a union?" his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "That's no good." in the hope of finding them." "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her a monotonous occupation." "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." "'Most admirably.' eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "I have come for advice." Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "Certainly." heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible said he. to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. such attractions and accomplishments?' at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For "What?" shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had respectable self." to change my dress. laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot been." The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of where Mr. Fordham shows you.' our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and extraordinary contortions. There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' outside." over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking that "What will you say?" "To the police?" "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. whole matter to your consideration." methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, What do you deduce from it?" was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a said I. what I may call a really hard day's work." compunction about shooting them down." that you saw all that I did." went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "How on earth--" look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the do you make of it all?" wife's character?" was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and "Well, but China?" hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he "So I have heard." great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise dates and names. "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his I held the little printed slip to the light. to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "Is he quiet?" transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very death." They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary do.' charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was Holmes' room. life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you obstinate." signal between you and your father? main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely and a shock of very red hair. half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this him to be an active member of the medical profession." "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his that threaten you." and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I quick march!" looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very lost nothing by them." his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be that?' a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to will he say when he returns?" cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with "What!" he roared. The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter indeed which he could not unravel. comes from the middle window." smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing a few minutes he said that it would be all right. him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the "And what did you learn from him?" have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, Sutherland?" "What steps will you take?" I asked. inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal eat it." for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and hour?' rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the "This concluded the examination of the witness." this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. go--none." headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, looking up at the numbers of the houses." postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "So I have heard." heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he arms and began to sob in a high treble key. experiences." "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "Were they all fastened this morning?" will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea shoulder. "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and there in twenty minutes." significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and call it cruel." "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no absolutely follow my advice in every respect." it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner "I should wish to." like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "By no means." us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the during which he might have communicated with his friend the Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could fat-encircled eyes. her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me You want to know what became of those geese?" "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. father's place of business?" when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we I leave." prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to more solid." into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "I say it is." dates and names. however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to noting anything else of interest. his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a "I cannot imagine." "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "I am sure." "And how did you verify them?" "And is that all?" "And leave your case unfinished?" it." knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. written, and locked the door of the office after me. sofa. This way, please!" "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are appointment with me for six o'clock?" "Did your wife hear all this?" customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and "Yes." a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, you give your casting vote to?" met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "It goes to the housekeeper's room." gives a meaning to it." my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom my secret was safe in his possession. against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, "Tired-looking or fresh?" covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. for securing the situation." "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, quickly through a disagreeable task. broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "Yes, sir." this unhappy family?" "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "Not particularly." before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very his fortune, and I went back to pa. me. You must get home instantly and act." wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation with you?" it." high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the returning from some small jollification and was making his way "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black Pope's Court. shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to weapon." possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty have got?" cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the already referred to. "Nothing." look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "I assure you that I am in your hands." undoubtedly my uncle's." he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "You think that he is dead?" "What office?" convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE friend's singular character. case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is persecution?" behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when soul! here is her carriage at the door." that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer "How did you trace it, then?" very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of learned something! Where are the gems?" increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has ready to-morrow?' boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand