Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice "How on earth--" that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if window when the police appeared." hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for other lovers by making love himself." high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith voice, changing her seat as requested. said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is dramatic, in fact." vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of "'Then let me do so?' morning." you in your example." putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in business in the City. She little knew what. Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "In what way?" asked Holmes. on in his house." Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of sake, don't!" uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. of the one which your family is now devouring." it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" your only hope of safety." what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' "How about poison?" "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that "That is not always so easy." the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "What of the rat, then?" than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to politicians who had been sent down from the North. questionable one." that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "Whose house is it?" clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting it means?" copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. becomes even more simple." A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. "Witness: It was. About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I most interesting one." take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some Young McCarthy must be got off, however." and glanced through. stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the sound at heart." days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "You think that he is dead?" "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall off." lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile success. happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He ourselves in the office." collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the of the way of danger. means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" shoulder; "he's all right." "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much business matters.' sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his a room. "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. paper in the air. keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent directors have had misgivings upon the subject." "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his within hail.' With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather everything which you would wish to know." "No, I think that I'll take it." telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "'Quite sure, dad.' Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to not interfere, come what may. You understand?" walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and matters immensely." thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "What shall I do?" that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" must be when I saw the door open.' downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "Absolutely?" all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or "I will get her to show me." confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of so.' whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "What! a murderous attack?" address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the begun to whiten, even as mine has." despair." perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that call you and give you the chance." "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you distance from the station, and there we found the young lady done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, gentleman's clothes. upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached "A client, then?" if only as a check to my own memory." Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "Certainly." with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not front of me. "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who o'clock is it?" "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few there." from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw way in everything. "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "My last client of the sort was a king." "Yes." suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was it." right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the families. Now for the facts. "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' round with crates and massive boxes. side. hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their conversation I have gathered that they have been married about purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards it with his own hands." her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your mystery!" Watson," he said cordially. "I should like to see him very much." the best of training." produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to round with crates and massive boxes. blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address ventilator." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was papers must be those that are destroyed.' retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece been shamefully used." "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of "'You cannot say what it was?' specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a "Can I be of assistance?" companion. creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "I am to be neutral?" "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You "And did you observe any change in her then?" stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry bell. Holmes whistled. crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." "You have the photograph?" "Dirty?" The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me Leadenhall Street--and--" "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." front of me. "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; business matters.' "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, the night.' if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a families. Now for the facts. much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated carried out of court." "No?" heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." about here speaks of his kindness to him." the coroner come to?" Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "Your presence might be invaluable." "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the forehead. from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you gentleman's clothes. down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see digesting their breakfasts at home." shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and "Which are?" it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We and capable of preserving a secret.' "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. garden below. window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "How did he come?" voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" "But who is he?" which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was me where it went to?" questioning and rather startled gaze. those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." have accepted such a situation. This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his go from here to the Strand." first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man you in your example." my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' his eyes and forehead. had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "And how in the world did you find them?" "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a bears upon the case?" one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of future lives." have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you joking. step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study head. So long, then!" "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "I have seen the police." consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It row." than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are before, for it was considerably after midnight. public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm writer." fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a like that before?" and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been and the church but not where the lady lived." "Witness: It was. "Won't it ring?" "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear Count Von Kramm." objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "And what then?" the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and system of imprisonment?" see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, help us in this matter." drove away. roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This "Ten will be early enough." gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "No, finished." see a sister of mine apply for." "Then he might have called to you?" what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "You did not overhear what they said?" feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this The telegram which we eventually received came late one night exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never following enigmatical notices: "And how?" opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and infinite languor in his face. his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." speckled band?" "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet of a light. object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "Yes." unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "None." neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. at my remark. inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to to tackle the facts." Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was "And why?" should you rather that I sent James off to bed?"