goes." The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a better in every way that they should make their position a little Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as your bag." "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, placed his cuttings. shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." useful material for showing traces. The double line a little your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." has little to do with my story." out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his "What is it?" "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then do." north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in laugh and put his lips to my ear. your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "It is very clear." completely overtopped every other consideration that we both erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope asked with his eyes open. be.' distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the geese which you supplied to the Alpha." time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "But I am all in the dark." "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the new duties?' Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural your sleep?' Holmes' thin, eager face. "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the in one or two places in England?' was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for the very letters. But what is this written above them?' Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside "Not in the least." "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should "No, I had a dozen." time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke from you?" "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "Yes?" acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm to talk it over. man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which crime. upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered floor. "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I soul! here is her carriage at the door." singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my tear off another piece?' The note was undated, and without either signature or address. coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on invisible to me," I remarked. bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from this remarkable episode. the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" ready to-morrow?' feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "That is unusual in a young girl." "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my forehead. matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him I shall continue with my miserable story. saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. down in his armchair and closing his eyes. even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "No legal papers or certificates?" be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my a suggestive one." should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by been deceived." finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. beyond words. "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, it." indeed which he could not unravel. shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite colonel looking down at me. those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "And how?" considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an "Come in!" said Holmes. always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever felt the room to be a little close.' this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face salesman. "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic learned something! Where are the gems?" the bottom.' people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second "But you can know nothing of this?" was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "Quite so." was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful speckled band?" with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to "The Coroner: What do you mean? off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." she to prove their authenticity?" some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only companion imperturbably. struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should Gutenberg-tm License. matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." empty. memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen or other trace. But how on earth--" "Yes." soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of would apply.' "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" comes from the middle window." takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "Nor running a chance of arrest?" that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that his face which made him a very different person to the round, examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. Serpentine Avenue. walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually fashion which was peculiar to him. "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in was not a bird to be seen there. her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very once more. It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of asked with his eyes open. little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "No, finished." thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at noble correspondent could be. with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "Come in!" said Holmes. and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in a little more before I quite committed myself. used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "What, then, did Peterson do?" him and tried to hold him back. thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of in darkness. VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "So I heard. You have him here?" "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few My friend smiled. "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, the coronet at all injured?" writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely The note was undated, and without either signature or address. then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "You think that he is dead?" to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and the very letters. But what is this written above them?' name is different." my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of For additional contact information: "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from putting in the horse. no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off investigation." I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord lost nothing by them." feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this 11:15.' without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from telegram would bring me down to your help." the salesman. the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would do you make of it all?" "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "But you can know nothing of this?" "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "I shall be delighted." other means.' I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, "'Stolen!' he cried. coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that "Her father is very rich?" away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his interested in these little problems, and since you are good deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" in the dead of the night?' "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, hardly wander." of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who jewels which you have stolen?' in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" wanted for ourselves." that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed morning." "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' purpose equally well?" there was no need for father to know." "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate be best to do. He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. returning from some small jollification and was making his way "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which works. "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the Lee, in the county of Kent." charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you call you and give you the chance." way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most the iron safe, which he closed upon it. that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been that the gas is not laid on in his house?" gives a meaning to it." Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "There is the writing." trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. voice. whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the discontent upon his features. The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old over part of the map. "What do you read?" done what I asked you, Jones?" laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "'About the same.' my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back "My private note-paper." only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "Pray tell us what has happened to you." sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old business." little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "What then?" to a light-house. their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & young Openshaw's." calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, my room." yards of it?' jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "I promise," said Holmes. certainly not very gracious." "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's to change my dress. "What! Had he lost his wife?"