arms and began to sob in a high treble key. her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. chance." ago." from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet Holmes. squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further annoyance, but no jest. the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the nothing with him." with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to would apply.' crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in figure." harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "I warn you that they are very incomplete." the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think "'Is purely nominal.' met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire until night should bring an explanation. "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" "Then what has happened to him?" "What will you do, then?" inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was "And how have you succeeded?" however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The unclasping of his long thin hands. problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "If so, much may have happened between." "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "You have but to name it." really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and "What of the rat, then?" and capable of preserving a secret.' came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of Holmes' face clouded over. "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "Why serious?" blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must of Mr. Rucastle's." "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his present." her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked families. Now for the facts. Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, go from here to the Strand." even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the events than those which have happened in my own family." double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the guilty one." I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "Certainly." little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known Holmes' face clouded over. great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "Was he the only applicant?" Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended that I can to serve you." "It may not come to that," said Holmes. think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another call the police, let the police find what they can.' entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "'Never.' villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "I am still in the dark." gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable views." it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, point our research must commence, and we will begin it by "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found ventilator." was once confined in the cab my mission was practically following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "That was it, sir." with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "It's nothing of the kind." Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot asked. "I should like to see him very much." us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have "It is very kind of you." British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the stepfather?" upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "By no means." year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "Dirty?" dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent "Texas, I think." McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm discontent upon his features. law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "In heaven's name, what for?" Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "Nothing." traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his in this note: standing smiling on the door-step. maiden herself was most instructive." confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight ordinary clothes on?" brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to these bleak autumnal evenings." and looked back. enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in "Eh? What was that?" fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she photograph?" though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as purpose of examination. I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "'Most admirably.' "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my my room." upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress the very morning of the wedding." cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. Where does the thing come from?' other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the matters immensely." scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in dramatic, in fact." of the efforts of the United States government and of the better reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some house for five minutes.' "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "How do you know, then?" play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the paper in the air. light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no Clair, of Lee." was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an rose-bushes. bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a himself in a perplexing position. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I must be when I saw the door open.' "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I he bowed and left the room without another word. "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" discontent upon his features. way: very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a tightly behind him. written. Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four me upon any point which I do not make clear." read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "I should be immensely obliged to you." the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "Nearly eleven." those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have whereabouts. "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." For additional contact information: building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended "Then you may entirely rely on me." keep the flames under. and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time morning." "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less fattened it expressly for you.' "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about see a sister of mine apply for." "Yes, only one." houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday some city in a dream. thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is through." spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "It was." "No more words. Get out!" when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good highly," said Holmes. "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with Arthur Conan Doyle I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of you." "'Never,' said I. great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set the bottom.' through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the business." be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an points in connection with it which never have been, and probably to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. chemical work which was so dear to him. the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "What will you do, then?" no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make "No legal papers or certificates?" exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any should be taken.' prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A placed his cuttings. "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. "Yes." man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have giving me time to thank him. were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter events than those which have happened in my own family." purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most "But I have heard all that you have heard." which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "I have hopes." "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, Chief Executive and Director gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who to tackle the facts." post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe and a shock of very red hair. salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his populous neighbourhood." in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE shoulder. Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." cause to be." "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now particular state visit http://pglaf.org very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced John Swain, of St. Augustine. "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps weighed down with some great anxiety. other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over suspect him." test if we have an answer to our advertisement." bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we one of the states of the Union." would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached 11:15.' bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." "'Yes, it was gone.' "Eh? What was that?" once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" is a common subject for conversation. at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography forbidden door. in the port of London." My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to that the gas is not laid on in his house?" the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we with the outside air!" "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob residence of the great financier. "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the is four-and-twenty." discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked October 9, 1890. direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." that you wished to speak to me?' "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom eavesdroppers?' glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your to where he stood hid behind the curtain. the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE again before evening." slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a