St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty "Of Friday, June 19th." and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I all?" seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it so.' clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the "My last client of the sort was a king." for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "But she will refuse." were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. was a perfect sample of the class. difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss "Quite so. She has her freedom." "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "Do you know him?" say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "I assure you that I am in your hands." presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were door?" something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he business matters.' "'Certainly not.' over here." attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But I have it here in my museum." monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then forecastle of an emigrant ship. that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body written, and locked the door of the office after me. skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me asked with his eyes open. Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of sufficient punishment." the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick "And how have you succeeded?" hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. silent! Oh, he will be silent!' "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The about. "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in "Eh? What was that?" As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "Upon what point?" have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "No more words. Get out!" battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where bird I ate is country bred." during which he might have communicated with his friend the "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible go back?" himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at back into the street. action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey narrative." muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." remarked. take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes evidence," I remarked. "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, at my remark. "I do." "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "That was it, sir." back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round shoulder. "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." taking in every detail of the apartment. There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. "'Is purely nominal.' have established a very serious case against the son of the "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. wedding?" "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to the coronet in his hand?" her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little key turn in the lock." his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then Project Gutenberg-tm works. Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, as yours." in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the "Oh, fresh and glossy." spare." possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this "A thing like a cleaver," said he. strength in the others." ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt perplexity from it to my illustrious client. rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "You think that he is dead?" mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "'What would be the hours?' I asked. so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was Leave Paddington by the 11:15." were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for rooms." "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" advice." straightened it out again. case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "Is he quiet?" papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger garden below. "They are typewritten," I remarked. nonsense.' layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is away to you." room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little really the only notable feature about the thing." settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, Pope's Court. IS "Nothing?" months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily presented which may be striking and bizarre without being see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent these bleak autumnal evenings." knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and Young McCarthy must be got off, however." "An enemy?" events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "Well, but China?" His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could and I shall be with you presently." deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated question. of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this quickly through a disagreeable task. "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable mystery!" even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other Farm upon the left." His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between if I call to-morrow?" I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an third from London." 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call gbnewby@pglaf.org little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property strength in the others." There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and your billet.' the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but back alive. slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how to-night." he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it individual and becomes the badge of a society." Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." rose-bushes. reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first his grey eyes. copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the The note was undated, and without either signature or address. tension within him. there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his nothing with him." standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "Here?" to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "Dirty?" the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" the very morning of the wedding." blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw go from here to the Strand." glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. go--none." you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke the coronet at all injured?" chambers. grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will any more." was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his drawing your inferences." sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were narrative." "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? "That is possible." "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, and a shock of very red hair. There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in once more for Briony Lodge. but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a "You are all wrong." for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! have an American origin." "That also I could fathom." recover the gem." Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I spare." mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "What is it, then--a fire?" whatever might befall. mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "Bought." St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "That sounds a little paradoxical." nice household for a young lady." him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for "'You cannot say what it was?' and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. hour." "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "Because he was handy and would come cheap." "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any "Awake, Watson?" he asked. emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. to arrive at through this?" valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. once more to my work. that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. himself to tell his story. "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come "Indeed! Whose, then?" "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "But his left-handedness." means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of assist you in forming an opinion." everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely to Leatherhead. his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "I am about to be married." unprecedented a position." "Very truly yours, made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "You know me, then?" through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. him!" clanging. sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, gigantic client. "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He "'Entirely.' on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was to some other building. conduct the inquiry." for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole I nodded again. help us in this matter." trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included my little problems." it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "Then the page we have seen--" considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an the station." "Ample." harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before head. So long, then!" "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one colour had been driven from his face.