Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "Dirty?" "'What then?' I asked. a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair even of instruction." stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For excitement. dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "'And what salary do you ask?' maiden herself was most instructive." "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of as noiselessly as she had come. shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House his huge brown hands. "Yes, sir." there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went prison!" higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the "'And the work?' building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days room?" her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was meant." nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from reach." for and were ordered to this address. should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "But the mystery?" narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling Holmes' room. "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This over here." "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." there was no need for father to know." system of imprisonment?" her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice the salesman. "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." the address that was given us in the advertisement. access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided "But we can't all be." 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "Was your sister dressed?" "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of dead, shall be safe with us." you." "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two them present such singular features as the strange train of against a man in the prime of life?" "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have use an arc-and-compass breastpin." frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features both be extremely obliged.' "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" hard-headed British jury." loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in to-morrow." Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy place, I think that there is good ground to think that the her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "Did he not advertise?" "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I your sleep?' stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers villagers almost as much as their master. from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do "'What are you doing there?' he asked. words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential ways of our fellow-men." Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes "You did not overhear what they said?" light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no vault. agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said individual and becomes the badge of a society." sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a as he remarks, very much against the son." "Oh, fresh and glossy." prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual brandy and water within his reach. not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, throat." Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a coat-tails." "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. have I gained?" the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the right! Sit down and let us talk it over." his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the "Of Friday, June 19th." hurried by. afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was then?" it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have not personally threatened." evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I "Yes?" "It is very clear." matter." would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "Here?" upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "Two days later this same performance was gone through under wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "How can you tell that?" snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself maid will bring up your coffee." "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "Yes." "Oh, the cause is excellent!" feature." real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot "But who is he?" conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be have had none more fantastic than this." "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I information in his hands the value of which he did not himself it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of "Stoke Moran?" said he. cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. 1.F. instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself noise which awoke you from your sleep?" it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' woven round him. the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the "Never." business came to an end." elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right "My dear Holmes!" to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this "But how?" way: sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been trying to your nerves." habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." remarked. yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to better in every way that they should make their position a little It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should there were one or two details which were new to me. But the the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "No, I think that I'll take it." clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that as noiselessly as she had come. "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a of." streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "Witness: It was. where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, to me. what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the became a certainty. smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative spark where all is dark to me." day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" friend's singular character. "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I I leave." "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. nice household for a young lady." of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "Yes." "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as opportunities to fix the problem. He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently enough to aid us in our search." "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, of the way of danger. "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "Murdered?" connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, chambers. "The Coroner: What do you mean? He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason cigar and let me expound." the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "Then he might have called to you?" "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "Pray tell us what has happened to you." brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "You are certainly joking, Holmes." determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both thin, with a long, sharp nose?" blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble "Ah!" sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence whatever might befall. lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I point our research must commence, and we will begin it by "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "A greater distance to travel." whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. and it need not interfere very much with one's other other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, that?' one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "So I am. Very much so." listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "And you can do nothing until then?" this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "'I am sure that I do not know.' "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." think that any burglar could have done. American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for "I have hopes." to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." himself to tell his story. in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather "No, I think that I'll take it." sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "You have it, sir, just as it happened." loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and where Mr. Fordham shows you.' neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to the dangers which encompass me." if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. instincts rose up against that laugh. foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "Oh, fresh and glossy." "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas skylight. tassel actually lying upon the pillow. 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile to where he stood hid behind the curtain. so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well and inquire as to the address." and files of the old papers, following the future career of every trifles." of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. developed." finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "Here?" chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six married her." Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let such attractions and accomplishments?' of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he cigars in their mouths. his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask foot. derbies." - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold invisible to me," I remarked. lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in noble correspondent could be. "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged your co-operation." "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was lost nothing by them." depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "You have it, sir, just as it happened." which our visitor detailed to us. shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "And why in hopes?" a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that For additional contact information: "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but main points of my analysis." am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the clang of the bell. Cross for the Continent." "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the