hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining imbecility!" he cried. that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "She walked into the breakfast-room." key of the affair now." face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission the room while you explain this matter?" say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than or in danger--" time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "What can it mean?" I gasped. overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "I have solved it." natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue "My own seal." at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington delighted to hear it," he said. "Pray continue your narrative." the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I certainly not very gracious." your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as the roots. slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of of it with the greatest attention. have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must "This concluded the examination of the witness." low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his shoulder; "he's all right." cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of awkward doing business with an alias." "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low your own bird, so if you wish--" the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth "I have solved it." was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know here." connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start lost nothing by them." "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in "Stoke Moran?" said he. "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "I promise," said Holmes. voice, changing her seat as requested. I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "Look there!" said he. dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "We must have a cab." room had already been engaged for us. matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been "Your sister is dead, then?" We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "But you have hopes?" without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the some mystery and the punishment of some crime." business came to an end." habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently "One horse?" interjected Holmes. experiences." persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." paper in the air. "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such go from here to the Strand." dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "By no means." happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "How many? I don't know." threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not whether it answered to the description of any of their idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the that there was nothing in it, after all." shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a been shamefully used." ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign with you alone." silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers wife's character?" prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "Get out!" said he. appeal." inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "And now?" I asked. "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding The telegram which we eventually received came late one night "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would gives a meaning to it." no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact examine." you." to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he "In San Francisco, a year ago." As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said "Murdered?" this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was "Certainly." "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she foresight and the moral retrogression?" disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" four million human beings all jostling each other within the has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger the window, rose as we entered. astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we without success. At last the little money which I had saved began in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." Watson," he said cordially. your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "What then?" - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to "Will you go?" England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, distance from the station, and there we found the young lady on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "How on earth--" other, as fresh and trim as possible. business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go way in everything. "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "Seven!" I answered. his grey eyes. stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, Sholtos." very peculiar words of the dying woman?" have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can my former friend and companion. prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "And your father? Did you tell him?" any." have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded foresight and the moral retrogression?" be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, meant it for the best. husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with salesman. that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was the stable lane now." earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some him to go away.' someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "And it is--" staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had sofa. This way, please!" "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "Yes, he did." with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "'Certainly not.' "The best possible." crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." there!' have been better. It is all right." "It goes to the housekeeper's room." be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat tassel actually lying upon the pillow. can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his My friend smiled. The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part the running down." again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE place no limit on the sum I may draw." client, rising. "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness that before taking the final step I should like to submit the dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "Why did you pick him?" here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had written, and locked the door of the office after me. statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason "There is the writing." my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms purpose of examination. standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a during that time.' "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she the Red-headed League." with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase laugh and put his lips to my ear. at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the yards of it?' stepfather?" ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of "It may not come to that," said Holmes. thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal clanging. for its centre. and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down Foundation "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what walking." of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them frequently gained my first real insight into the character of whereabouts. purpose equally well?" against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his we went to search for him, face downward in a little We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his quickly through a disagreeable task. me have 200 pounds?' work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was you in your example." "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be hereditary King of Bohemia." "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out "'What then?' I asked. I approached. years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich again." the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "Seven!" I answered. it. Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked affection." note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but the coronet at all injured?" Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the and your relations to her." One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "And now?" He raised his hand. heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was taking in every detail of the apartment. "He is still with you, I presume?" Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." gigantic client. A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had know what is wrong with it.' had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "What can you not understand?" "Dr. Becher's." "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." the room while you explain this matter?" "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day him nearly every evening." Leadenhall Street--and--" With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To row." have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man the side-table." "Why? What do you mean?" five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should but preventing her from injuring another. kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a round with crates and massive boxes. "By all means." them?" of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, good for you to do.' as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "'Is 4 pounds a week.' charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to not interfere, come what may. You understand?" think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "But I have heard all that you have heard." "Who by?" as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very remarked. sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I married her." there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the "Holmes, the busybody!" papers diligently of late, have you not?" "It is a murder, then?" exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I footfalls from the street. so.' ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, God! What an exposure! What can I do?" quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens present." danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your orange pips. There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for straightened it out again. those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the compunction about shooting them down." where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a papers must be those that are destroyed.' collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just to-night." were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it in this way: is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "So I am. Very much so." "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." about. my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my of it with the greatest attention. aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the