reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "Because he was handy and would come cheap." impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab corner of the building. when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "Bought." "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said rose-bushes. Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the "Yes." "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "'Yes.' "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when interests were the same as his." "Precisely." "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" "His face fell immediately. roused himself from his reverie. "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of bare slabs of marble. the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he "I see many objections to any such theory." far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "The Coroner: What do you mean? "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." front of the hall door has given its name to the place. "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger present." too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." "Her father is very rich?" at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do appeal." conversation I have gathered that they have been married about Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "Not social, then?" month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which examine." may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." society." "Here?" "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "Was she in good spirits?" suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "How did you deduce the select?" gigantic client. settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not extraordinary contortions. in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "Bought." Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. was a perfect sample of the class. vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "Bought." "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" maiden herself was most instructive." lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss through." ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed your room." "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the behind me. the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant that threaten you." wedding?" James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken be. and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps nothing with him." I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round all-comprehensive glances. "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture "That is unusual in a young girl." I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by lost nothing by them." gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the question. watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "What then?" congratulate you again." plantation.' "I never have." "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." little trying to do so much typewriting?" hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between Edgeware Road. present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "Can I be of assistance?" dear old homesteads?" "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "Do you go out much in society?" wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, use an arc-and-compass breastpin." whereabouts. "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should "Then what has happened to him?" from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as the coroner come to?" But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If and effective." sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the confronted him. "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "But it has twice been burgled." themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim "Here?" that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when him, that man would not have given me such complete information and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with "This concluded the examination of the witness." strode off upon his way. enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich "My photograph." and your relations to her." that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it leave you to your papers for a little." envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend of the way of danger. "The landlord of the Alpha." I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the sparkled upon his finger. side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to unkempt, staring out at me. was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "I beg pardon." docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one him to be an active member of the medical profession." "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "Imitated." "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided new duties?' with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need "Nothing." whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. whereabouts. abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing children over to America with him, so that I found myself without seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" Sholtos." works. See paragraph 1.E below. at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still papers on the sundial.'" stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the not within a twentieth part of the market price." work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative the nursery. "You are certainly joking, Holmes." Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the You want to know what became of those geese?" he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is existence." "I will do it." profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences himself in a perplexing position. we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took me what he had done with the three missing stones. you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut was it brought him the coronet? "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "None." have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look hereditary King of Bohemia." "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. "And for present expenses?" have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by "No, I am descending." those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they fuss that is made over them." firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, was it brought him the coronet? its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather "Do you know him?" "Yes, certainly." her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important was a loud and authoritative tap. deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "Have you her photograph?" have one." are, and they are waiting for us." "Tired-looking or fresh?" lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "Yes, sir." incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came "On your arm?" said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like ordinary clothes on?" "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "Yes, the wine-cellar." a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle photograph?" you do it in twenty minutes!' interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. Clair, of Lee." glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have me, and I could not think that his explanation of the observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of window when the police appeared." "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a more solid." very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." answer." a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "I am all attention, madam." sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, the coroner come to?" stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural passage and a tap at the door. constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was have been better. It is all right." "Absolutely?" "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "It surprised me." so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There gbnewby@pglaf.org means taking possession of that which another person has a prior "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, The note was undated, and without either signature or address. "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold amused." it." conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" jewels which you have stolen?' combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I followed. "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the not personally threatened." "I see no marks." relief. should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the "My dear Holmes!" comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found "'What are you doing there?' he asked. happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "Yes, it was twisted." emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost strength of mind to control. erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke call for protection in the marriage market, for the present "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs fishes. of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to here and I will read it to you: electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, populous neighbourhood." drawing your inferences." down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a