the warnings." Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per ashen face. the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been looking up at the numbers of the houses." behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "That was it, sir." absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "Yes." "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and fattened it expressly for you.' "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his weary and pale-looking. "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was time." "I guessed as much." confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding should be so warm over such a trifle." "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it beyond words. sooner or later she must fall a victim. "I assure you that I am in your hands." bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. of Mr. Rucastle's." staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such were wasted." occupations.' "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of bedroom door." Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but door?" "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in some terrible trap for her." "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my which we had just quitted. broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be "I will not look." but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed there!' Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "Oh, yes, easily." had no one to advise her at such a crisis." Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us meant it for the best. discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful happened." boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the it." "When did it break out?" waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "And Miss Sutherland?" it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my people in all walks of life. without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety "The doctor?" these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the yourselves in at night?" shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside him!" carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was the King without delay." seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the been with you?" nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "Holmes, the busybody!" constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "My private note-paper." security.' "What shall I do?" thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five that?' furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now upon the shelf for the interim." manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "Where is it, then?" Sholtos." souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists Holmes." "No." finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came signal between you and your father? would apply.' scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "To an end?" it." the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "Then you may be so with me." pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but so far?" "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We "It is true that I have been generally successful." I shall communicate with you." assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "What do you mean?" my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society threw himself down with his face to the pillow. the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been awaited us upon the table. "To an English lawyer named Norton." was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and information in his hands the value of which he did not himself opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere nothing of it?" out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. who was a member of your goose club." annoyance, but no jest. "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black annoyance, but no jest. the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in "Ample." incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer gigantic client. salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "But what is it you wish?" "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "You don't mind breaking the law?" The note was undated, and without either signature or address. elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out ago." round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "Yes, at the mines." fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He "No, finished." sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found salesman. little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the gives a meaning to it." of a light. nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the at my own good fortune. visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the fashion which was peculiar to him. of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "Texas, I think." old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in "What I expected to see." "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the felt the room to be a little close.' the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been have not had my rubber." that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society fishes. "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I will find little credit to be gained out of this case." is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. details." tell me that you intended to go into harness." and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" "No." "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its system of imprisonment?" perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, "Your French gold?" be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." he. face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the lips." for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "Not particularly." "How did he come?" respectable self." "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "But you can know nothing of this?" entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net the tragedy. with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "But your client--" Holmes rather sternly. indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic becomes even more simple." ordinary clothes on?" "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need leave you to your papers for a little." scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love society." there when the Rucastles went away." from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key in a very precise fashion." which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we system of imprisonment?" discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to what I may call a really hard day's work." how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture "On the contrary, this is the right side." the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than "Quite so. She has her freedom." said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after Henry Baker is a member." He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on views." hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy will find little credit to be gained out of this case." me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "But the mystery?" which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. chair. theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. "'Never.' has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "We must sit without light. He would see it through the We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By do." an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of points to suicide?" "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two in the dead of the night?' prove to be little relation between the different incidents of and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler "My private note-paper." "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a the bottom.' its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to not as remarkable as your advertisement." pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "The murder was done with it." "That is it on the dressing-table." "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you his forehead." confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked His smile broadened. the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "I saw her in conversation with her maid." took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily drawing your inferences." shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "'Yes, sir.' "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "Why, it's a dummy," said he. Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "But you have hopes?" "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a the bottom.' work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in "'What would be the hours?' I asked. Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement "Where, then, is my wife?" were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he promised to bring home. to have that photograph." behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I be sorry for having acted so harshly." Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if "It must be recovered." "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you side. putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "You have a clue?" hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. in one or two places in England?' Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently morning." that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The retorted upon me, and I on you."