very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions "'It is locked up,' I answered. and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "Yes, it would be as well." the house with me." have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I it." "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming of receipt of the work. have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' fashion which was peculiar to him. "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your that I am arrested." "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm despair." "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "Certainly." this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "No." "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to "I say it is." Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at minor matters until to-morrow." observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" *** START: FULL LICENSE *** young Openshaw's." could not have written that. It is the German who is so pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and hurried by. passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with "I saw her in conversation with her maid." leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is hardly wander." His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "Now, then, what's the last entry?" "Seven!" I answered. not come at once?" clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with "My Mary? Impossible!" produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when than was visible to me." "I see no marks." as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As call the police, let the police find what they can.' which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "That is not always so easy." "I have come for advice." to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to over part of the map. "What do you read?" "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "None." What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and during the last few years, and there are many noble families to conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked your own bird, so if you wish--" It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my "Now, then, what's the last entry?" left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this that there was nothing in it, after all." stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The present." "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. bears upon the case?" Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "'Ample.' James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 me. You must get home instantly and act." "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry not, dad?" she asked. mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking third from London." in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant strange features which were associated with the two crimes which silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "How did you deduce the select?" "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "A call for help, you thought?" and your relations to her." does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by Pope's Court. "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "How long did she speak to this Alice?" five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after to Leatherhead. "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was "'I have already given you my word.' when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away lost his Christmas dinner." charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless the very letters. But what is this written above them?' of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was opened a pocket-book and took out a note. fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot "I say that I have solved it." I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his fish-monger and a tide-waiter." A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged very old mansion. twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." "I see many objections to any such theory." home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. case-book, which he consulted. own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "Imitated." face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of asked. to where he stood hid behind the curtain. matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "It was a confession," I ejaculated. and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "Yes, only one." sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very strong and stiff." that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was ordinary clothes on?" interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. good for you to do.' liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to events, Mr. Windibank!" would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a suspect him." problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social "Frequently." "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the "What shall I do?" landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small III. distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll matter over." agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then foresight and the moral retrogression?" from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" "None." the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had "The best possible." material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms yourselves in at night?" him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "No." you?" shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a you in yours." annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the someone who had been in Australia." to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these drawing your inferences." his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "Oh, yes, easily." him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "And how?" that you saw all that I did." "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, is four-and-twenty." buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "My opinion is in no way altered." might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. is," said he presently: this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "You saw the ventilator, too?" door?" opportunities to fix the problem. Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was works. "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." observed. "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. "But not more so than I to find you." smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." woman who has had her own way to make in the world. Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest "You have carte blanche." vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I reach." himself in a perplexing position. way in." "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing evidence," I remarked. disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his posted to-day." Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing meant it for the best. against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "Tired-looking or fresh?" finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was "Did you become engaged then?" minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and "It was an hour's good drive." at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was not within a twentieth part of the market price." "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I "No bad?" "And when will you call?" which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "'What, the red-headed man?' my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside goes." the Red-headed League." anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. pressing in one house as in another. had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There stood on the top of it. The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," "But of what society?" St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From his knees, staring into the fire. of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but started for the Temple to see my husband. knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. get the tickets." were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and "That you are never beaten." "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce retorted upon me, and I on you." papers." wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid breakfast and whispered something to her husband. there were so many in the whole country as were brought together the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" companion. building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole James Windibank. Voilà tout!" Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works without a word or a look. through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near "Then the page we have seen--" simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring bedroom door." myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I future lives." an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and your room." "Pray tell us what has happened to you." http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your into her hand at the door and which lured her within their that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we companion. have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a "I am in hopes that she does." On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my