to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look Farm upon the left." "Oh, fresh and glossy." "'A dozen yards or so.' other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he "You did not overhear what they said?" places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair too. "Your presence might be invaluable." "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most nothing with him." "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of "But it has twice been burgled." and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me leave you to your papers for a little." "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "'What are you doing there?' he asked. "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "Yes." fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had to me. "And leave your case unfinished?" out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "'Tell me all about it,' said I. Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "Witness: Nothing definite. unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing least a most suspicious remark." "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew said he, "my real name is James Ryder." collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my see me here to avoid scandal." "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the upon the shelf for the interim." down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "No good news?" money should be paid at once.' commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, infinite languor in his face. fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go other, as fresh and trim as possible. "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place cigar and let me expound." how narrow had been my escape. to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to shall not find me ungrateful." d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent "An accident, I presume?" daring than any effort of the imagination." It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a "'You cannot say what it was?' silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were "Yes." this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon peculiar to him. "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "How long did she speak to this Alice?" spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to mysterious end." he bowed and left the room without another word. "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for danger is over." there were so many in the whole country as were brought together the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "'It is locked up,' I answered. "What steps will you take?" I asked. our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to your bag." not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a that I am arrested." endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "I have solved it." the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired him to be an active member of the medical profession." deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." you." "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "To an English lawyer named Norton." "Because he was handy and would come cheap." our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "Will you go?" by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and occurred." of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." meant." "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "No." shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. "Of what?" it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" written. time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will mysterious end." this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in 1.E.9. feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as eat it." course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to figure." without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "And the murderer?" destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old strong reason behind." than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing "I answered that I had not. subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as me where it went to?" then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." James Windibank. Voilà tout!" course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom "'And what salary do you ask?' annoyance, but no jest. clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm your equipment. predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "Awake, Watson?" he asked. "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with "What office?" o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "I will try. What is it?" "What then?" stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me some terrible trap for her." have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, to-night." "And sit in the dark?" this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that disappearance of the bride.'" "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking "I will not look." I nodded again. shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." that he has suffered." that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, into the bag, and made for the door. observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be "'I have heard so.' hurried by. deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless there in twenty minutes." not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then figure." partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our tell me that you intended to go into harness." "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know been with you?" "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, mysterious end." request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at "The knees of his trousers." been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two sentimental considerations in the background which would induce to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave some water from a caraffe. there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and golden eyeglasses. "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting James Windibank. Voilà tout!" homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon the south-west, I see." "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "I have seen the police." plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "Pray be precise as to details," said he. instincts rose up against that laugh. the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "Very murderous indeed." was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, he. frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "How did that help you?" in my life." "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a indeed happy." "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting bed dies. Does not that strike you?" father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "Stoke Moran?" said he. "Yes." "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "You have but to name it." fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a towards the blaze. star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon she used." Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by without success. At last the little money which I had saved began dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were not as remarkable as your advertisement." your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "'Certainly,' I answered. "Awake, Watson?" he asked. up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and "I think that I had better go, Holmes." "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently directly by questioning you." "If I can be of use." compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any Have you good authority for what you say?" Stoke Moran." us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four galvanised. I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "Well, some hundreds of times." following enigmatical notices: morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the said he, "my real name is James Ryder." and the colonel ushered me in. "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "Oh, fresh and glossy." headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "If I can be of use." "I cannot as yet see any connection." "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great in his power. winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose Sholtos." "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "Pray do so." very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his Munro.' letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination held up the lantern and gazed about him. peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the when your master had gone out." provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat woman who has had her own way to make in the world. were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait photograph?" do.' "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." The note was undated, and without either signature or address. The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that the running down." "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. into the bag, and made for the door. the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what taking in every detail of the apartment. rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we three of the beryls in it, was missing. to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the "And you don't know his address?" open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from night.' said he. my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face little adventures." this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will brought there to personate someone, and the real person is true." learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the amused." have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until "Quite so." "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I open." "So I have heard." "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I for its centre. on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked so far?" the Red-headed League." Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into such person." and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated