"No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the it were putty." inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large manager. any little problem which you may submit to me." undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be maid will bring up your coffee." by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond "You are all wrong." continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. fasten all the windows?" "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day minor matters until to-morrow." description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now Pope's Court. she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. gone. "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, absolutely follow my advice in every respect." made him keep the appointment." always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, peculiar to him. Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered giving me time to thank him. rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed your most interesting statement." unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll throat." in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was indeed happy." "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass "And who is her maid?" "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had "'Never.' himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two if only as a check to my own memory." other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "And your mother is alive?" "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "Did your wife hear all this?" "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time make me his representative both with the servants and with the and no precautions can guard against." "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know details should find their way into the papers. Inspector was lame." "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "I beg pardon." my room." lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot our word." didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the It was close upon four before the door opened, and a disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be in him." but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ people in all walks of life. "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, of it with the greatest attention. "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of "Come in!" said he. again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was have accepted such a situation. opened a pocket-book and took out a note. "The gentleman I describe." more solid." out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has and that he would see to anything that turned up. for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just you give your casting vote to?" appointment with me for six o'clock?" we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed call for it in person on Monday morning.' she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at "And I." last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. records." "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant held up the lantern and gazed about him. "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be and effective." had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had sofa. This way, please!" "But she could not love him." objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I matter." newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "Entirely." "Eh? What was that?" previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall will he say when he returns?" "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two in my life." "How did he come?" instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very have an American origin." VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" arrangements." contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this deduce something from that?" "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish "But how did you gain them?" sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she His smile broadened. right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' "'Quite sure, dad.' "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, three fields round his house, and there he would take his not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a nonsense.' have not had my rubber." "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, "'Very good.' crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than me. You must get home instantly and act." peculiar to him. Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before murdered man." granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a success. imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced ways including including checks, online payments and credit card footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated for securing the situation." "Absolutely none." hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "But your client--" "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the "You did not overhear what they said?" follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "You have carte blanche." "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "But to whom?" thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. door?" "You will not go there first?" that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven it." stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am "So it appears." "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "No." arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel cause to be." "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "Could he throw no light?" beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account Sutherland. he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some was keenly on my guard against him. cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly spark where all is dark to me." He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you direction." Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and John Swain, of St. Augustine. me, and I could not think that his explanation of the and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still an introduction to him?" Stoke Moran." first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was foot. him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "Proceed, then." tied." flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, public press." them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a October 9, 1890. take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a "My dear Holmes!" receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "I was afraid that you were engaged." "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on carried out of court." "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to you in your example." would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, bearing upon the case." waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "Ten will be early enough." I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "Yes, he did." "And you don't know his address?" tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, "Yes, the wine-cellar." have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a made his money." to-morrow." all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There over with notes and figures. "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to Arthur Conan Doyle the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; this unhappy family?" affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could "What is it, then--a fire?" "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "'I have heard so.' his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in his knees, staring into the fire. is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting "It goes to the housekeeper's room." turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see the running down." age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried fashion which was peculiar to him. surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "Could he throw no light?" too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice Does that suggest anything?" I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up cigars in their mouths. "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "And you thought he was pulled back?" if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very I. set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to eavesdroppers?' copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. Watson," he said cordially. "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been sneer upon his pale face. and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, means taking possession of that which another person has a prior happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was himself to hunt down. it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come I nodded again. and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of look upon these things in a different way." didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "And what did you see?" he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon sufficient punishment." stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door business came to an end." "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden thin legs towards the fire. misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever sneer upon his pale face. insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "About a month then." always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to "Here?" "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a "Look there!" said he. correct than the official force." "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "My dear Holmes!" he died? my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to visitors." that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. it." "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." second." "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "When did she vanish, then?" little adventures." the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a could go. now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the as noiselessly as she had come. twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "And is that all?" "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent