"May I see it?" congratulate you again." "Well, but China?" As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He call for protection in the marriage market, for the present Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies shadow pass over his face as I spoke. wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily geese which you supplied to the Alpha." and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "My opinion is in no way altered." safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were tied." "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." crime. Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from clang of the bell. "Why, what do you mean?" "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of upon an income of about 60 pounds." "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "Never." would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to detained." that he will be back before evening." which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing really the only notable feature about the thing." instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which imbecility!" he cried. clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work one of the states of the Union." "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the once more for Briony Lodge. themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." in his power. vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your something of him before." "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. make me his representative both with the servants and with the "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "Where to?" on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "He said too much." when your master had gone out." me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all certainly do as you advise." Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always 1.E.9. was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "'Certainly not. But why?' "It surprised me." the very morning of the wedding." "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At Holmes' thin, eager face. "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your brought there to personate someone, and the real person is would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down bachelor.' wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "Yes, only one." into the bag, and made for the door. company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a mystery." behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I "'I have already given you my word.' jewels which you have stolen?' I was concerned in it." tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my arms and began to sob in a high treble key. distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where enter into my head. that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "And that is--" slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to American. Then who could this American be, and why should he writers could invent nothing more crude." 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the get the tickets." Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an cause to be." once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, must be when I saw the door open.' brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net "Witness: I must still refuse. destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the 'please.'" paper in the air. highly," said Holmes. scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" "Thank you. And your address?" my former friend and companion. Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with 'I should be able to look after that for you.' that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" help us in this matter." stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it for and were ordered to this address. behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "It is possible." heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" the Friday. Was it to be in church?" heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her "And what then?" A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King friend's singular character. "Perfectly so." stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain remarked. "The King of Scandinavia." "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from During two years I have had three consultations and one small were unconscious?" dear old homesteads?" cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. into the bag, and made for the door. river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "Just look it up, then." spark where all is dark to me." the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "I say it is." belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such what do you think they found in the pockets?" you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first amused." all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "No. His orders were to stay in the house." vanished into the darkness. cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found "I should like to see him very much." over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but during the last few years, and there are many noble families to "No. His orders were to stay in the house." which our visitor detailed to us. which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "But to whom?" the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average ready to-morrow?' waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been "No, thank goodness, she did not." morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the jewels which you have stolen?' "I assure you that I am in your hands." companion imperturbably. more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked them?" "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "You horrify me!" there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose certainly do as you advise." swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. will be renamed. whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank "It is no ordinary one." them?" opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main despaired of." "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. again on its way. "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is his cane at the bell-pull. guilty one." system of imprisonment?" and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who "'Why that?' I asks. how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his "I am still in the dark." "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' "Not in the least." it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her yet." job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend McCarthy's innocence. that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which children over to America with him, so that I found myself without about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then "'A dozen yards or so.' "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it plantation.' very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for results." If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young promised to bring home. figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "I cannot as yet see any connection." north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in four million human beings all jostling each other within the "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, "Yes." monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then suggested at once that there must be a communication between the footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "I am following you closely," I answered. But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "'Which dealer's?' snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "It goes to the housekeeper's room." these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "The King of Scandinavia." wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of his wife has ceased to love him." the roots. his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well delirious. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here suddenly upon us." it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger "The knees of his trousers." he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton together. states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were Dr. Gregory B. Newby inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul she might be summoned. then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "It is possible." "You have it, sir, just as it happened." greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of examine." as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining question," said Holmes, smiling. about here speaks of his kindness to him." are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious bedroom door." At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to "But the mystery?" fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself Watson," he said cordially. desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "I don't believe it." of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, instincts rose up against that laugh. given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began any little problem which you may submit to me." "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "Pray be precise as to details," said he. to arrive at through this?" Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: not personally threatened." the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell to-night." and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for hard-headed British jury." coroner's jury." "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "I will, Miss Turner." "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, of the way of danger. as this. Pray let me have the details." "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about used to be." perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "Why? What do you mean?" her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted closing the door. crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows the stones. "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang events than those which have happened in my own family." of receipt of the work. "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I "I think that it is very probable." of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely "Was your sister dressed?" of his shoulders. "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend you." without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "I have solved it." surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it started for the Temple to see my husband. "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "He is dead," cried several voices. "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with crime. himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for strength." wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the detained." out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three appeal." "Was he the only applicant?" considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up he. companion quietly. "I have my revolver," said I. agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then true." his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in away into the river." wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in have one." nonsense.' yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans,