instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "You have the photograph?" "About a month then." "I am sure." residence of the great financier. girl said." little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. to that open window." was once confined in the cab my mission was practically which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "'Oh, no.' sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" outsides of the windows. "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were "That also I could fathom." He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of my little problems." "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and during which he might have communicated with his friend the peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your very peculiar words of the dying woman?" always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its From what you have told me I think that it is possible that He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank plantation.' "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still had this final quarrel? upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. of a light. black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "Yes, I have one waiting." "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching place no limit on the sum I may draw." quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been questioning and rather startled gaze. hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It "Yes." room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. thought that she would have been so carried away." through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "Absolutely none." round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "What have you to say now?" propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their "It is true that I have been generally successful." ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the colour had been driven from his face. "None." to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. not come at once?" to Leatherhead. meanly of me." then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project "Not in a good cause." "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a third from London." "How did you deduce the select?" between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "How can you tell that?" putting in the horse. "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced beyond words. of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "A call for help, you thought?" grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in despaired of." the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "None." "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I me. You must get home instantly and act." essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, "That is not always so easy." wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole "Eh? What was that?" "He is dead," cried several voices. pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. felt the room to be a little close.' handed it to him. after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no is acting for the best. "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "Which surely he restored to their owner?" is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander in him." from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some "Yes, sir." lumber-room." "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "The landlord of the Alpha." deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which was feeling which was the fattest.' have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him that beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so key of the affair now." roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set "Ample." "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. is worth.' and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a kind enough to tell me what I should do." and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an "Certainly." "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "Yes, from Horsham." enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. than was visible to me." public press." LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "My opinion is in no way altered." thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on murdered man." answer." "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his bachelor.' across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must seen the man in the road." green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one and no precautions can guard against." until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "That is easily got." question. "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend you." who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "I would give my fortune to have them back." "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp out of this horrible affair." lids now and glanced across at his visitor. seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, "My private note-paper." secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. had this final quarrel? garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. one of the states of the Union." only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about night.' said he. to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better a suggestive one." arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "It missed him, then?" "Bought." and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "You think so, too?" harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into room?" whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "That you are never beaten." always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "I cannot tell." drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an DAMAGE. you." "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a salesman. morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is threw himself down with his face to the pillow. "You forget that I know nothing about it." "Who was the criminal, then?" "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." eavesdroppers?' have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem row." residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the him, that man would not have given me such complete information "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses "What do you mean?" believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was might have a private word with us. reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He "Yes, they were peculiar boots." agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At populous neighbourhood." "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general morning." spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." be.' fear." Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "Nothing?" his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last better grown goose." out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you been shamefully used." prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "At the wedding breakfast." Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was true." "It is very kind of you." cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, roused himself from his reverie. and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient a few minutes he said that it would be all right. across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "I answered that I had not. business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend sentimental considerations in the background which would induce turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be Lestrade of Scotland Yard." cigars in their mouths. when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking the best of training." that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my "Perhaps we may make them less so." Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as Henry Baker is a member." "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "Then, as to money?" happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." experiences." "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see perplexity from it to my illustrious client. drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the remarked. waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." "Very much so." arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "You are hungry," I remarked. am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day already referred to. branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a III. perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg a good hundred miles off by now." "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." other means.' "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in the Red-headed League." highly," said Holmes. "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" entirely lost his self-respect." speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. to tell." it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this approach us with offers to donate. should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it "Now, then, what's the last entry?" "And Irene Adler?" The events in question occurred in the early days of my the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, you, my dear young lady?' deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three read over the extraordinary announcement. thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then later, upon the night of May 2nd." shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought lost his Christmas dinner." "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand child?' a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "To an English lawyer named Norton." of the way of danger. "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as in the dead of the night?' "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed