might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which get her out of the way." and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in down in his armchair and closing his eyes. even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But matter." precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would did not hear it also.' want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our "Yes, sir." hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an any." "No." "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four you for a few hours?" than to us. the date of his supposed suicide." "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and woman." better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to any more." "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' "You have it, sir, just as it happened." to-morrow." the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under gigantic client. so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss future lives." prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but the warnings." increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "Well." "But it has twice been burgled." twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are pressing in one house as in another. the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this Pope's Court. cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my bore every mark of being an average commonplace British outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "But what is it you wish?" very peculiar words of the dying woman?" charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. "No, finished." When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought of this gang." with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped ill-usage at the hands of fortune. before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the feature." correct than the official force." "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "Stolen." think you a quite exceptional woman." leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "I will try. What is it?" two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been situation." description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite get the tickets." straighten it?" which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to stood on the top of it. "It is to him that this trophy belongs." accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at to surprise her." I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more himself in a perplexing position. who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until held up the lantern and gazed about him. country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is when your master had gone out." these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly the very morning of the wedding." "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him yards of it?' had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. me upon any point which I do not make clear." "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is outside. "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be will he say when he returns?" With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he matter over." "I am all attention, madam." my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "I have hopes." "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "Was your sister dressed?" thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "My opinion is in no way altered." with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "And your mother is alive?" Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "I shall be delighted." hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. coat-tails." Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend ready to-morrow?' strength in the others." "No." allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point get the tickets." assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with o'clock is it?" air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both Heh?' suddenly upon us." He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands stepfather?" Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock bachelor.' the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "Yes, that is the Crown." reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left business." focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "Why serious?" "He might." vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." villagers almost as much as their master. sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps stammered. more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I the so-precious time, but come!' "You are hungry," I remarked. "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the fatally injured? quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is that there was nothing in it, after all." them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical derbies." direction." "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon straightened it out again. expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every upon the white wrist. which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the tied." for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with gives a meaning to it." and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double one of the states of the Union." and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "The Coroner: What do you mean? the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he you want, then?' definite end. he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away and no precautions can guard against." ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "The best possible." folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. The King stared at him in amazement. and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with until night should bring an explanation. beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to front of me. especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that "I would give my fortune to have them back." side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "She showed me, as I told you she would." hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner call the police, let the police find what they can.' "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend "By no means." the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the within hail.' his knees, staring into the fire. bell. Holmes whistled. from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. on in his house." enter Dr. Roylott's room." "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" visitors." remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to now. It seems that there had been some informality about their stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "'Ten to two.' "Who by?" weapon." the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of became a certainty. in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "I am in hopes that she does." the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in fear." gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "None." affection." serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "'In my own bureau.' Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." nice household for a young lady." course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two in him." Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of was it brought him the coronet? have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed London for the present?" And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor do you make of it all?" is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it individual and becomes the badge of a society." of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to your equipment. would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a yourselves in at night?" the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." questioning and rather startled gaze. were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "You were travelling in the States?" I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap spare." so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of Sholtos." of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way sit on the left-hand side of the driver." some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. the armchair which I pushed forward for him. Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive such attractions and accomplishments?' attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we "'I shall certainly be there.' pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "A greater distance to travel." "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque "No. His orders were to stay in the house." destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "Not I." back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say desk. again before evening." was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "Certainly." "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good your sleep?' who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the written. "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the vault. very peculiar words of the dying woman?" little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "I answered that I had not. see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining locked." Edgeware Road. "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about noting anything else of interest. "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she question. Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features.