some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, generous with you in money matters.' himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "You have but to name it." case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that "How about poison?" friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "Certainly, madam." the child." Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "Certainly." think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. of his shoulders. roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." you." "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and whole matter to your consideration." subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her from you?" on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it him to be an active member of the medical profession." hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your name is different." banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do future lives." said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I indeed which he could not unravel. is so. I know all about McCarthy." the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted when you have done it." bled considerably." home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "There is the writing." "Nothing?" happened." glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I meant it for the best. ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite presented more singular features than that which was associated "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "Witness: It was. "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking crime. cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found prove to be little relation between the different incidents of very morning of my second wedding." and prosperity to your house. Good-night." pierced for earrings?" 'please.'" weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "I don't say that. Perhaps." blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight "Then I shall certainly come." is now desirous of getting those letters back." he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "He slept on the premises." it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a night.' said he. pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my it means?" company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the bachelor.' day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were then?" Lee, in the county of Kent." purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "But we can't all be." it right.' is," said he presently: and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "Yes, the wine-cellar." him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you the matter?" should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week front of the hall door has given its name to the place. freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest never to learn it at all." considering the formidable letters which were received by himself the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your spark where all is dark to me." "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have McCarthy." some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see "That is also quite modern," said the lady. Mary, has deserted me." "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are to-night's adventure." done what I asked you, Jones?" whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly "'Certainly,' I answered. Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the with frightened eyes at his accuser. and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he "A call for help, you thought?" for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, "You have the photograph?" A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "'Entirely.' that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty Cross for the Continent." important." the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, several quiet little villages up there." managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it had this final quarrel? mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the guilty parties." came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the breakfast and whispered something to her husband. nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of may have an influence upon European history." companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "ARAT," I read. electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "I will get her to show me." which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy you give your casting vote to?" detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of approach us with offers to donate. on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and little trying to do so much typewriting?" wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very clang of the bell. grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "No, I am descending." "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat "'Certainly,' I answered. "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to returned to France?" writing, and yet I know it well." will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "The gentleman I describe." closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "Precisely so. But how--" acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled Holmes' face clouded over. "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that answered with a sidelong glance. "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "I cannot think." characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will Count Von Kramm." that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my to miss it." "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room lectures into a series of tales." Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "No." I am not easy in my mind about them." wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide which was all perfectly true. walking." in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a be there in time for your coming." "How do you know, then?" hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, I nodded to show that I had heard. where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "I am about to be married." "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only the address that was given us in the advertisement. "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over ceremony." brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "You forget that I know nothing about it." "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," fear." plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad future lives." will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the "What have you done?" asked Holmes. fishes. through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you could not have written that. It is the German who is so Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate your sleep?' clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. call the police, let the police find what they can.' however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which disappearance of the bride.'" "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most sufficient punishment." true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through ready to-morrow?' other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. really the only notable feature about the thing." case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is questioning and rather startled gaze. He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any envelope. his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went "None." all?" "It is very kind of you." photograph?" your bag." and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those girl said." who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in "He said too much." that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this in a very precise fashion." misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that Sutherland. believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was which should have the effect of calling the attention of the been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was the bottom.' "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door window when the police appeared." October 9, 1890. absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage "What is it?" his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "But I am all in the dark." "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "It surprised me." is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have must compliment you." might have a private word with us. know what is wrong with it.' diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? not within a twentieth part of the market price." refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears electronic works In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge things are very often connected not with the larger but with the ready to-morrow?' "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker washing it down with a long draught of water. everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that events, Mr. Windibank!" VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, pierced for earrings?" so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the my room." "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though four million human beings all jostling each other within the "One of his hands." sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual tail." nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the happened." understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to "No." grasp, he hurried from the room. her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" really the only notable feature about the thing." of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She "The doctor?" "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which October 9, 1890. do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. "I cannot think." "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over