you in your example." "There is the writing." closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was man. I know him from the photograph." "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much forebodings. "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do "From his hat?" knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "Awake, Watson?" he asked. "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "Yes." I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "At what time?" "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was "'Oh, no.' "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous "And your father? Did you tell him?" "How are you getting on?" "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. problems help me to do so." would then never go into court at all." I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. of campaign. that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "About a month then." came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture cigars in the box." as noiselessly as she had come. to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "But how did you gain them?" deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a way: the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "'Never,' said I. During two years I have had three consultations and one small although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week with her." "What can you not understand?" hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "So I heard. You have him here?" "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are astonishment. snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "Entirely." distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." "Yes, all." away in different directions, and I went off to make my own said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you wedding?" gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to to change my dress. conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, cigars in their mouths. "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is thin, with a long, sharp nose?" railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's made his money." importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "No, I had a dozen." fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "It is possible." is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously to you." should be so warm over such a trifle." no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the even of instruction." matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always evidence," I remarked. along the entire front of the house, with three long windows conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly not come at once?" combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "I say it is." six. Come in!" prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, felt the room to be a little close.' closing the door. well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just suggested at once that there must be a communication between the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to the night.' recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "To ruin me." "Won't it ring?" Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "Ah!" As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of "A client, then?" admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance fear." because she had spent so short a time in this country that she Does that suggest anything?" records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of comes from the middle window." violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "From his hat?" every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to one's self under obligations.' Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in have one." rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "Yes, he did." "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, conduct the inquiry." and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little "Your sister is dead, then?" My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put ventilator." you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the nothing of it?" the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work upon the shelf for the interim." confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is and it need not interfere very much with one's other seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "Ha! you find it so?" you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the to where he stood hid behind the curtain. up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "You did not overhear what they said?" "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed direction." crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "If I can be of use." Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I more terrible than the truth. one's self under obligations.' "Upon what point?" without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could thin legs towards the fire. the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and this Miss Turner." confronted him. "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is better grown goose." indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "Then what has happened to him?" to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "No good news?" you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I gives a meaning to it." "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the forehead. have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to "The best possible." went to the Alpha were town bred." was shining brightly. along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but the bed, and you in that chair." find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my question you as to those details which seem to me to be most these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock your room." "To an end?" without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with which our visitor detailed to us. so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to "It surprised me." this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "How many? I don't know." until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "Who was the criminal, then?" habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, child?' he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge the Assizes." permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "And sit in the dark?" "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and possible that we could bring him back to her? grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No fact, we may call it conclusive." condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger appeal." Does that suggest anything?" "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock second window is the one that I jumped from." see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which "Get out!" said he. overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy as the one I chose?' thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but chamber." Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided better in every way that they should make their position a little graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such you." feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "But we can't all be." your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. morning." "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have "But you would not advise me to refuse?" matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and if I call to-morrow?" than to us. could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. address. "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day said I. suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "But what harm can there be in that?" "'Oh, no.' "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There "To an end?" ways of our fellow-men." style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I "What do you make of that, Watson?" acted in my house last night?" is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from searched, without anything being found which could incriminate brandy and water within his reach. "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "Deserted you?" could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. and the whole place is in a blaze." brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" Watson," he said cordially. guilty parties." "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "No." Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project placed his cuttings. paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "Why, what do you mean?" village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "But who is he?" "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "Yes, that is the Crown." lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of reach." one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do "'Certainly not.' power." Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel newspaper selections." the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but some city in a dream. peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the other means.' day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for weighed down with some great anxiety. generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no "I say it is." he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "And I to find an enemy." seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, affair. an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the him and tried to hold him back. herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no asked. I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "'What, the red-headed man?' search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and tail."