brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "Nothing." his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I "Will you bet, then?" wanted for ourselves." providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance disappearance of these gems?" "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day "Why, what do you mean?" some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his "At what time?" relief. the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon back to my heart. business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual such person." fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you straightened it out again. claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" morning." sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be disappearance of the bride.'" "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, "'And what are they worth?' I asked. simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in Pope's Court, Fleet Street." "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the "And now?" I asked. of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, kindly on the shoulder. uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless ordinary clothes on?" harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the "'A dozen yards or so.' thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as the running down." Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train have I gained?" baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could your room." and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It matter." passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "And how?" the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was most interesting one." I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my strange features which were associated with the two crimes which weighed down with some great anxiety. the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," business at Coburg Square is serious." stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "Only as much as we can deduce." thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him "Ten will be early enough." "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've were wasted." "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. of a light. this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its photograph a cabinet?" Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent had formerly been in part my own. and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've do." But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. guilty one." somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the 'please.'" goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth and wait." editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring "Pray do so." America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "'Yes, sir.' guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps one else, I think." for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. companion imperturbably. thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "You know me, then?" "A greater distance to travel." find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, the window, rose as we entered. furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he wedding?" "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable as he remarks, very much against the son." examine." hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I purpose equally well?" photograph?" There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say of receipt of the work. covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with sofa. This way, please!" tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, him to go away.' "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check your sleep?' in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I "Why did you beat the pavement?" as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution head. So long, then!" "None. Neville wrote those words." Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at just ask you whether you had heard it.' "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a think, you have already met." "I have solved it." photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When suspect him." my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for "Well, it is a possible supposition." his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be father's place of business?" august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my was a lad." which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "Yes." neither fascinating nor artistic." "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, be.' Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "There are none." The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements province." "My Mary? Impossible!" examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, "'How far from the body?' "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. where she found matters as described by the last witness. us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high "No, thank goodness, she did not." "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be electronic works and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been within hail.' fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would Arthur Conan Doyle "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "It was an hour's good drive." Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. may have an influence upon European history." glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in little trying to do so much typewriting?" deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my row." strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to one which it was hard to resist. awkward doing business with an alias." centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. future lives." "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a him to go away.' formed some opinion?" returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "Then I can wait in the next room." not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize of note-paper. It read in this fashion: should be taken.' Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper vault. A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a your room." evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "She walked into the breakfast-room." that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was "One of the highest in England." noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, down. and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "Pray let us have it, for all that." photograph?" have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There bird I ate is country bred." pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man even so self-evident a thing as that." 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of said he at last. age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR hand, madam?" few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped child?' "In which, sir?" desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent second window is the one that I jumped from." "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an to-night?" I asked. "The Cedars?" this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in your billet.' "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather "There are none." one or two very singular points about this room. For example, sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon the window, rose as we entered. opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "'About the same.' as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the round with crates and massive boxes. then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend "Because he was handy and would come cheap." "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step Holmes. Cross for the Continent." "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. matters immensely." stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a a very grave face. and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall reach." prisoner's face. and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the of a light. the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "There are none." "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting and it need not interfere very much with one's other her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that "You have compromised yourself seriously." patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no the Assizes." "I was afraid that you were engaged." is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for the one as in the other." then?" "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 "Pray tell us what has happened to you." the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing "Absolutely none." "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the at home. depend upon my doing so.' joking. began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few a good hundred miles off by now."