seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, get her out of the way." daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, acquaintance?" so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of matter." suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; conduct the inquiry." I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "They are typewritten," I remarked. Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we their singular warning or token before them when starting upon Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, of note-paper. It read in this fashion: of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the time." introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly imbecility!" he cried. hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "That is it on the dressing-table." correct than the official force." is a common subject for conversation. heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, individual and becomes the badge of a society." applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "And your mother is alive?" was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to "So I have heard." statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." little adventures." usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and must be when I saw the door open.' the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening "Did you observe the colour?" surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The the bed, and you in that chair." that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT breakfast?" "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and pressing in one house as in another. Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to delirious. lumber-room." floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for noting anything else of interest. that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of bed dies. Does not that strike you?" lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "It was a confession," I ejaculated. almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," this unhappy family?" simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little open." his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the fact, we may call it conclusive." relief. in my life." making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt his fortune, and I went back to pa. upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly suddenly upon us." that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. them, and came down just as you departed. vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and made his money." surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez drawing your inferences." pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to what I may call a really hard day's work." easy-going way." smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. these bleak autumnal evenings." "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I visitors." would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able God! What an exposure! What can I do?" train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the entirely devoid of interest." seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "Yesterday." in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" Farm upon the left." "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the "Deserted you?" call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. fatally injured? and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. very old mansion. on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said one which it was hard to resist. takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." closing the door. "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went "And the murderer?" rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "Where did he live, then?" finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day be. old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." hurried away. however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set make me his representative both with the servants and with the me." "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll I nodded again. down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." mystery." "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic corner of the building. ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "Certainly." to some other building. starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do *** START: FULL LICENSE *** Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in one of the states of the Union." and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of visitors." "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "Of what?" morning." 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the of Mr. Rucastle's." sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. congenial hunt. screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land them present such singular features as the strange train of "Eh? What was that?" "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the results." wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "It is true that I have been generally successful." in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth in his hands." relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came fact, we may call it conclusive." "He is dead," cried several voices. way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "The rest you will leave in our hands." abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his pressing in one house as in another. was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though "You are all wrong." "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the key turn in the lock." amused." wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the compunction about shooting them down." "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the followed. way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "'Not at all. I only doubt--' of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes have I gained?" "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the when you have done it." "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his cigar and let me expound." "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east daring than any effort of the imagination." surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "What are they?" a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A detective. house for five minutes.' "Yesterday." I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have it? Did I buy the geese off you?" your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the her also." As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the attention." it." huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our in darkness. murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then sit on the left-hand side of the driver." and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "But his left-handedness." and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or "Yes, he did." "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of "Pray do so." him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? the side-table." his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at "In the cells." sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from unprecedented a position." outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be Again Holmes raved in the air. "'Is purely nominal.' knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window detained." just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" shaken than I had ever seen him. When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "I have solved it." think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "You forget that I know nothing about it." skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am thought that she would have been so carried away." everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, spark where all is dark to me." have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you felt?" and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" with her." his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which key turn in the lock." waste of energy." us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "How many? I don't know." would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the approach us with offers to donate. "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds never will be, entirely cleared up. Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for figure." after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "I am in hopes that she does." us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the problems help me to do so." "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "Because he was handy and would come cheap." old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I more terrible than the truth. half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "You were travelling in the States?" search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" You can understand that this register and diary may implicate will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing you in yours." "Did your wife hear all this?" half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "I am to be neutral?" furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having quickly through a disagreeable task. cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. pity, because in other respects you would really have done very and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in business?" consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. corner of the building. threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a weighed down with some great anxiety. were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel Heh?' up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did