innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call his knees, staring into the fire. drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." vanished into the darkness. petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "Not in a good cause." "On your arm?" with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," works. "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the in the hope of finding them." Gutenberg-tm License. valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then useful material for showing traces. The double line a little all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a and prosperity to your house. Good-night." young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "Yes." "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "Have you her photograph?" Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and directors, with the result that you have seen." locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A and all of them with the keenest interest. 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he any little problem which you may submit to me." have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are is now desirous of getting those letters back." that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "What of the rat, then?" sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "I should be immensely obliged to you." decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That again on its way. greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. business matters.' it were putty." as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If once more. adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, has little to do with my story." observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little figure." stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "But how will you look?" eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "He said that you could solve anything." contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the Holmes. "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, "But we can't all be." pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still your co-operation." rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so thin legs towards the fire. "'Tell me all about it,' said I. tell them apart.' certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall it? Did I buy the geese off you?" Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective in a very precise fashion." that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from "Entirely." jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated photograph a cabinet?" arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "'What do you call purely nominal?' explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a we went to search for him, face downward in a little "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody your Highness to the police-station?" "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well vague figure huddled up in the darkness. gone. where Mr. Fordham shows you.' when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is "'There is a drive, then?' "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm works. fuss that is made over them." little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that was it brought him the coronet? enter Dr. Roylott's room." third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with American. Then who could this American be, and why should he "What are they?" expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "But who is he?" half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the voice, changing her seat as requested. With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation formed some opinion?" the driver. and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "Then I can wait in the next room." recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend definite end. brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of obstinate." "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the the morning and make my own way in the world.' submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "And is that all?" "You think so, too?" "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and would apply.' will not take me long to tell. "And leave your case unfinished?" are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side my secret was safe in his possession. They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with the dangers which encompass me." my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I sparkled upon his finger. laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley examine." down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see have I gained?" "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George "It is no ordinary one." "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not think that he is innocent?" detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there husband's writing, madam." interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I "Well, some hundreds of times." looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "What do you make of that, Watson?" I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "Ten will be early enough." vault. after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler your bag." "I have come for advice." gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you "By no means." reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his fashion which was peculiar to him. impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press call for it in person on Monday morning.' "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You sparkled upon his finger. her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me said I. It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "How many? I don't know." because she had spent so short a time in this country that she should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "The landlord of the Alpha." hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of works. See paragraph 1.E below. "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or people don't know." my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a "'It is locked up,' I answered. writing, and yet I know it well." stood on the top of it. eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when extraordinary contortions. and a shock of very red hair. "The Cedars?" you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press new acquaintance to Baker Street. and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the directors have had misgivings upon the subject." places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "I don't say that. Perhaps." one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' who was a member of your goose club." thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a some city in a dream. locked. be sorry for having acted so harshly." that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought your Highness to the police-station?" "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, families. Now for the facts. the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such hour?' "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a me have 200 pounds?' of a light. in your London, you will know that the office of the company is "I am still in the dark." homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon despair." Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "'You doubt its value?' he asked. away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "I will get her to show me." "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it shoulder; "he's all right." THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions was lame." respectable self." work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over the child." instincts rose up against that laugh. brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes dear old homesteads?" five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but golden eyeglasses. the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, unkempt, staring out at me. letters?" name is different." Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I "Just look it up, then." the side-table." spark where all is dark to me." statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return ordinary clothes on?" remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she photograph?" "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' have not had my rubber." was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "It was." enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, "Here?" endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a chemical work which was so dear to him. friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the what do you think they found in the pockets?" "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "I should like to see him very much." "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him call you and give you the chance." better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was woven round him. terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "May I see it?" such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "Do you receive much company?" he asked. house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by it. to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow "I have come for advice." smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of more solid." misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a business." which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face towards the blaze. a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "What can it mean?" I gasped. the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of name is different." and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that Chief Executive and Director Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you rat could hardly pass through." the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "That sounds a little paradoxical." Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San particular state visit http://pglaf.org "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "And the murderer?" set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by voice. way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked time." once more to my work. "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you "Now, then, what's the last entry?" would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small quickly through a disagreeable task. them present such singular features as the strange train of little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a