tear off another piece?' "Well, it is a possible supposition." "'Where could I find him?' business at Coburg Square is serious." wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled laugh and put his lips to my ear. which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew the tragedy. Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "Certainly, madam." "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter too. the general public were present, then?" "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no during the last few years, and there are many noble families to routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the "I was certainly surprised to find you there." in. Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer I held the little printed slip to the light. practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his "Yes." "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his on in his house." more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the may have an influence upon European history." England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a "Is he quiet?" imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "Well, but China?" "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my individual and becomes the badge of a society." "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had be there in time for your coming." Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." strong and stiff." characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "Which surely he restored to their owner?" simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. are windows in it, of course?" "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and fish-monger and a tide-waiter." table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel o'clock is it?" resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "Yes, that is the Crown." distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an kindly on the shoulder. clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter "But he might be a bachelor." and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar Again Holmes raved in the air. Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm "How many? I don't know." and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When "How did you deduce the select?" gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can what I may call a really hard day's work." as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought with the outside air!" opened the door, and slipped through. course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his at my remark. cost them two and thirty pounds." expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had "It was an hour's good drive." think that any burglar could have done. "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a affection." exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "ARAT," I read. in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my Street. quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your dear old homesteads?" as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the chair. What do you deduce from it?" "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to the devil!" Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal down from London to inquire more deeply into it." but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand that I can to serve you." Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, shoulder; "he's all right." This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such foot. the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "You are all wrong." opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main some place of shelter and let the county police know what has to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "Very murderous indeed." shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "Really! You surprise me." me upon any point which I do not make clear." corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the in darkness. is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the him nearly every evening." "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, beg that you will break it off." simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. companion imperturbably. my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, nothing of it?" "What will you say?" fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room come either from the window or the door. My attention was "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." be sorry for having acted so harshly." permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or forebodings. him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. man. "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the congratulate you again." coroner's jury." McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." our word." 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" persecution?" own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the felt?" Street. has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly dead, shall be safe with us." provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "'I am sure that I do not know.' "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no "And is that all?" my room." conclusions. To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free License. You must require such a user to return or "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, But Holmes shook his head gravely. I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped "What have you done?" asked Holmes. his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear you came in." dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' like that before?" encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal them?" "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my bonnet, and went out." of a light. and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "To ruin me." "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler "Precisely so. But how--" we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and Doctor, of the paper and the date." but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come better grown goose." wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that carpenter." continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. villagers almost as much as their master. question you as to those details which seem to me to be most character. Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' simple cases which are so extremely difficult." bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my and your relations to her." "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted orange pips. "I am in hopes that she does." transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made to change my dress. "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and it." Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and beyond words. should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "You heard nothing yourself last night?" look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending you." "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom "That is easily got." about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small But Holmes shook his head gravely. each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that I took the paper from him and read as follows: "Murdered?" "'And the work?' distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with "'I have heard so.' good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "The Coroner: What do you mean? lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned important." And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the she has been waylaid. There has been no result." Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" completely overtopped every other consideration that we both very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But depend upon my doing so.' "Just look it up, then." business came to an end." undoubtedly my uncle's." grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "But how?" here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a and that he would see to anything that turned up. of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "No, I am descending." "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "Very much so." of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. me. You must get home instantly and act." "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." "It was a confession," I ejaculated. of your young ladies.' I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that an introduction to him?" pierced for earrings?" Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' the salesman. throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered Serpentine Avenue. "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended said I. feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your papers must be those that are destroyed.' See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be affair. back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a events, Mr. Windibank!" rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a what I may call a really hard day's work." drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes' face clouded over. his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "And that is--" peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' into her hand at the door and which lured her within their One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party obstinate." arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in you." actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal writing, and yet I know it well." Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, at once, for I have only half an hour." which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have with her." now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I there when the Rucastles went away." "But his lameness?" they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of and have this put in the evening papers." In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. strength of mind to control. heavy and sharp instrument." and it need not interfere very much with one's other "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the spark where all is dark to me."