"A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat wedding?" the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "The rest you will leave in our hands." was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes fluttered off among the others. "At what time?" surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. your troubles." the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the to take care of herself." VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "'No, I know no one in these parts.' common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she "Pray tell us what has happened to you." look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I "The decline of his fortunes, then?" sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and "Is he quiet?" upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must words came to my lips. after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, lumber-room." wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "It was a confession," I ejaculated. "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very ourselves in the office." arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so of a light. complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "So I am. Very much so." who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened system of imprisonment?" arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot it? Did I buy the geese off you?" opened a pocket-book and took out a note. on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed compunction about shooting them down." "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, "We have tried and failed." America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He noting anything else of interest. "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that his huge brown hands. before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the awaited us upon the table. "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "No." "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. the tragedy. I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did once more. "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land "'Ten to two.' We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to your co-operation." tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "But who is he?" of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I "I have seen the police." the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water "'Where to?' "Bought." believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing next day. black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might "None. Neville wrote those words." dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with she to prove their authenticity?" assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "Who was the criminal, then?" to where he stood hid behind the curtain. endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do "I will not look." research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "My last client of the sort was a king." signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then grasp, he hurried from the room. straightened it out again. "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of floor. quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young weighed down with some great anxiety. anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the chill to my heart. "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most to surprise her." shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "It may not come to that," said Holmes. But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not come either from the window or the door. My attention was "What then?" was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off recover the gem." "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you me, and I could not think that his explanation of the no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "I should like to see him very much." well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am and the church but not where the lady lived." least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug retorted upon me, and I on you." It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean was keenly on my guard against him. It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' "No." it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less daring than any effort of the imagination." than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's "I should be immensely obliged to you." will find little credit to be gained out of this case." something of him before." thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long "Tired-looking or fresh?" rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no fire. You quite follow me?" "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "Frequently." "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. these bleak autumnal evenings." living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "How do you know, then?" teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me examination of the premises, but without finding anything which been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "Where, indeed?" we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I considering the formidable letters which were received by himself been deceived." "No sign of it?" extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' crowd. "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to next day. such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, nights." to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I "And why?" for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. me where it went to?" withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the Munro.' dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that "The knees of his trousers." as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged better in every way that they should make their position a little troubles have been weighing upon his mind. though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon read over the extraordinary announcement. laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, "What, then, did Peterson do?" should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "That you are never beaten." pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman "What have you done?" asked Holmes. was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where retorted upon me, and I on you." following enigmatical notices: successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "Where did you address your letters, then?" But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "None." "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out secret." companion. at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless think that he is innocent?" offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to power." Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. bore every mark of being an average commonplace British held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "In which, sir?" were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was bell. Holmes whistled. house for five minutes.' doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "Married! When?" death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "Pray do so." present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it 'please.'" words came to my lips. determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We union?" have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible Watson," he said cordially. "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" "No. What a strange idea!" and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an "You are hungry," I remarked. Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those seen the man in the road." friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the Munro.' villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all which we had just quitted. 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" "Very murderous indeed." "'And the work?' for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and other lovers by making love himself." him to be an active member of the medical profession." however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." again before evening." seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the direction." see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' "I say that I have solved it." object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I certainly do as you advise." beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. I nodded again. Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to lost his Christmas dinner." other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the and inquire as to the address." heavily into it. humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "Yes, it was twisted." My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the be sorry for having acted so harshly." It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "So I heard. You have him here?" sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the window when the police appeared." while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers points to suicide?" the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the them, and came down just as you departed. the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after "Ample." Pool. Clair, of Lee." would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "In answer to an advertisement." "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could long narrative. bird I ate is country bred." past. brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." envelope. You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I people don't know." "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal the roots. the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." cause to be." "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. some city in a dream. "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "No, I had a dozen." its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This business?" Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he "And from a noble client?" was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "I think that I had better go, Holmes." simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew lips." I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven place of silver." the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and matters immensely." "The vanishing of the lady." wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to "That's no good." it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then front of the hall door has given its name to the place. must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a "'Stolen!' he cried. "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version