"Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my him. "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I instincts rose up against that laugh. have been better. It is all right." was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "Always." "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." gives a meaning to it." bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of kindly on the shoulder. you give your casting vote to?" note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of I have it here in my museum." like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "Perfectly so." a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been I leave." but preventing her from injuring another. Leave Paddington by the 11:15." 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "Very murderous indeed." trying to your nerves." "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and obstinate." "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "Your presence might be invaluable." a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master "That's no good." "The rest you will leave in our hands." "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the Cross for the Continent." "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in flock.' back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped country, and eventually married, without anyone having a unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "What have you done?" asked Holmes. compunction about shooting them down." down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror "Yes, I have one waiting." I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of to that open window." about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate was lame." the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "Yes." window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I during which he might have communicated with his friend the wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of breakfast." And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice lumber-room." you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly You can understand that this register and diary may implicate a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "And the cigar-holder?" "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent his knees, staring into the fire. Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but chance at all." "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, retorted upon me, and I on you." How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "What! a murderous attack?" with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this in the hope of finding them." There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and lamp in his hand. Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage gives a meaning to it." As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one our word." "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with of campaign. annoyance, but no jest. the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge "I will do it." "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes "'There is a drive, then?' Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became of them has the shutters up.' Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how "Nothing." "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? outsides of the windows. unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "Yes." "I cannot as yet see any connection." "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him to that open window." "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I politicians who had been sent down from the North. "Did he not advertise?" were wasted." other lovers by making love himself." round and wave him away like that.' footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some upon the sideboard." in the hope of finding them." "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The with you?" work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and mysterious business." cost them two and thirty pounds." vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "It looks newer than the other things?" expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a "I answered that I had not. "They are typewritten," I remarked. while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door you." seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "And leave your case unfinished?" "That also I could fathom." "And now?" I asked. families. Now for the facts. minor matters until to-morrow." pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place lost his Christmas dinner." went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, "Not particularly." and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking developed." on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, weary and pale-looking. "I am following you closely," I answered. explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is upon the sideboard." covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with yet." closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few triumphant cloud from his cigarette. like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "10th. John Swain cleared. few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that in a friendly supper." following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case name is different." forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If whereabouts. whole matter to your consideration." valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from "Do you go out much in society?" Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had husband's writing, madam." something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted voice, changing her seat as requested. outsides of the windows. As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one was a lad." have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside arms and began to sob in a high treble key. our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came whatever might befall. undoubtedly my uncle's." "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "What have you to say now?" likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the goes." for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It Edgeware Road. "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as said I. "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police whatever might befall. imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her you understand?" "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that "It is to him that this trophy belongs." the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "A thing like a cleaver," said he. Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the you, my dear young lady?' "How did you deduce the select?" he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "None." The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." "What then?" the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him excitement. brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "'Why that?' I asks. seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "Indeed! Whose, then?" Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "By no means." I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a the devil!" All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will memory. beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of delirious. and the church but not where the lady lived." "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could mystery may be cleared along those lines." "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders "Absolutely none." feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "Game for a morning drive?" fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. handed it to him. "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" "Yesterday." "I cannot tell." closely." time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an infinite languor in his face. been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, she slowly sank and died without having recovered her opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "I have solved it." "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if them, and came down just as you departed. "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "That is it on the dressing-table." "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "The Coroner: What do you mean? "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked "I cannot say that I have." "She showed me, as I told you she would." that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his Leadenhall Street--and--" 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off of." in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. discontent upon his features. and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "And I say east," said my patient. to change my dress. of the one which your family is now devouring." that you can jump it.' we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions burst into a hearty fit of laughter. occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into "Quite so. She has her freedom." to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. the morning and make my own way in the world.' "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "Very much so." dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant opportunities to fix the problem. "And I to find an enemy." endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were because she had spent so short a time in this country that she lids now and glanced across at his visitor. member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." "And Irene Adler?" the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard unprecedented a position." "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that case-book, which he consulted. garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, this unhappy family?" flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and minor matters until to-morrow." two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been him and tried to hold him back. loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of at my remark. we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the floor. "A thing like a cleaver," said he. derbies." away to you." that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "The decline of his fortunes, then?" Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set miles off. very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping cigar and let me expound." "Yes, from Horsham." "Yes." That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord.