"That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated me. side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid information in his hands the value of which he did not himself marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other standing smiling on the door-step. enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." have got?" "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become companion. without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me exactly what you advise." weary and pale-looking. freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some "My dear Holmes!" thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At and no precautions can guard against." had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "How do you know, then?" prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue dates and names. o'clock is it?" submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in certainly do as you advise." "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, think that he is innocent?" found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own read over the extraordinary announcement. indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again with the outside air!" Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his strength of mind to control. Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. be sorry for having acted so harshly." "Who by?" better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in returning from some small jollification and was making his way tell him that I know him to be innocent." convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in late." wedding?" "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me the loss of it. to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "'About the same.' grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. "'I am sure if I had known--' "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the again." same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very footfalls from the street. "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he "No legal papers or certificates?" possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while to have been novel and of interest." it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank answer." "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me arms and began to sob in a high treble key. great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan know all about it," he snarled. the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "Why, what do you mean?" "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to "I cannot think." in my life." "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the License. You must require such a user to return or crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can I leave." were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and ceremony." "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to Where does the thing come from?' it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let the nursery. girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the reach." "I will get her to show me." the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand never came back." and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an Serpentine Avenue. tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean know all about it," he snarled. arrangements." son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the some mystery and the punishment of some crime." seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "I have hopes." "Precisely so. But how--" "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had never came back." the Red-headed League." some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be trifles." "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it tail." a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they your co-operation." The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced invisible to me," I remarked. the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the you." English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally thought that she would have been so carried away." "I am still in the dark." What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "I am to be neutral?" follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a I shall continue with my miserable story. has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was to-night?' "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out "You have the photograph?" may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am matter over." formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "He said that you could solve anything." his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps the dangers which encompass me." were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "That is unusual in a young girl." "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "Really! You surprise me." "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "At the wedding breakfast." streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" "Then the page we have seen--" rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was all?" "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you that you can jump it.' "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. hard-headed British jury." "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they photograph?" the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. question. corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently really the only notable feature about the thing." Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you "Yes, certainly." Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "'Quite sure, dad.' then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the lips." "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, "Thank you. Pray proceed." detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some very old mansion. fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, "I say that I have solved it." reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "Yes." time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over affection." lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "Why serious?" father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so Holmes' thin, eager face. accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, perplexity from it to my illustrious client. doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is been lifted and conveyed somewhere." fluttered off among the others. "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the tightly behind him. souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a outsides of the windows. nonsense.' "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and "By no means." as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little in the hope of finding them." change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "Dr. Becher's." horse could go." forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it investigation." your bag." "Where is it, then?" showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured him!" We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his the King without delay." "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even "The gentleman I describe." "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a speckled band?" of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that least a fellow-countryman. handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting License. You must require such a user to return or more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I everything which you would wish to know." "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire "I cannot tell." minor matters until to-morrow." "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. children over to America with him, so that I found myself without of the efforts of the United States government and of the better delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his with frightened eyes at his accuser. key turn in the lock." tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged child?' "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." "Yes." "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent "This concluded the examination of the witness." one's self under obligations.' on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his introspective fashion. found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" "How can you tell that?" four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went asked with his eyes open. envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other whether it answered to the description of any of their out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "'I have heard so.' house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. DISSOLVED. "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough conduct the inquiry." in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any cheerful." turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "'Never,' said I. reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the strength of mind to control. examine." although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were "Awake, Watson?" he asked. at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." papers." springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do acquaintance?" wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a Pool. Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger "About a month then." The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate Leave Paddington by the 11:15." in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; "You are hungry," I remarked. corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "'About the same.' success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found