remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She to affect your life." "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple his huge brown hands. He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as evidence," I remarked. "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "It is possible." discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." along the entire front of the house, with three long windows "Where, indeed?" of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "Which are?" chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to "He might." thought that she would have been so carried away." brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use locked. headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening on in his house." "No, I think that I'll take it." "You are certainly joking, Holmes." likely to be some crony of the landlady's." true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little depend upon your compliance." Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. suggested at once that there must be a communication between the handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again murdered man." bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of "Was your sister dressed?" should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then "Perfectly so." "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "What!" he roared. "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "But she could not love him." pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told make me his representative both with the servants and with the "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such very old mansion. cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make "I never have." "'And what salary do you ask?' evidence," I remarked. "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I "Then I am your man." Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you me, and I could not think that his explanation of the Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would read over the extraordinary announcement. Eyford at 11:15.' Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my union?" significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "You are all wrong." the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over forecastle of an emigrant ship. "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, "Were they all fastened this morning?" that there was nothing in it, after all." and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of silent! Oh, he will be silent!' every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties and laid it on the table. like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for one else, I think." "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, searched, without anything being found which could incriminate As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed habit of advancing money.' anything to a woman, for she would have her way." now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington a very grave face. sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is lost his Christmas dinner." "I am to be neutral?" of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the searched, without anything being found which could incriminate from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand purpose equally well?" railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning will he say when he returns?" in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "I cannot imagine." eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "My photograph." that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, to have that photograph." third from London." predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his My friend smiled. chambers. "To the police?" permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I evidence," I remarked. main points of my analysis." "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to discontent upon his features. "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." see me here to avoid scandal." morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "Here?" perplexity from it to my illustrious client. remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. gone before you can get him to hospital." exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, "Yes, he did." still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "What will you say?" country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and delighted to hear it," he said. astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "It certainly sounds feasible." access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently "None." father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the handed it to him. the morning and make my own way in the world.' upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for words came to my lips. Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "BALLARAT." his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found "Yes." be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "I was sure that I might rely on you." may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "Where did he live, then?" "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. sofa. This way, please!" "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "That is it on the dressing-table." that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "No." weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked "Not him." steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "Texas, I think." every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." "None." as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He a monotonous occupation." the dangers which encompass me." at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "But it has twice been burgled." jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is helping a boy to put up the shutters. heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me to me. records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed "She will not sell." often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already giving me time to thank him. made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of directors, with the result that you have seen." To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts the bottom.' Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "Has he come with you to-night?" relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a "9th. McCauley cleared. which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the Holmes' face clouded over. that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a one's self under obligations.' and inquire as to the address." gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual lectures into a series of tales." instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the note?" it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with chance." "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds girl said." bled considerably." 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It soul! here is her carriage at the door." "My Mary? Impossible!" her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no drawing your inferences." natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in John Swain, of St. Augustine. quick march!" Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "I have seen the police." propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might meanly of me." have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition Literary Archive Foundation country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down get her out of the way." was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very beg that you will break it off." is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room tension within him. "But the mystery?" out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case minor matters until to-morrow." "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining "But you can know nothing of this?" "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his the bed, and you in that chair." the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey hereditary King of Bohemia." minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "No. What a strange idea!" upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second "It surprised me." the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see most interesting one." your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and recall any case within my experience which looked at the first the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been hand, madam?" never will be, entirely cleared up. "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. just called myself is not exactly my own." crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "He said too much." presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. "No?" nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most "Then, as to money?" "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "You saw the ventilator, too?" "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." point in the dark hollow of his hand. Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge upon the shelf for the interim." handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "Perhaps we may make them less so." before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety laugh and put his lips to my ear. Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of His smile broadened. vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by again." "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning and the whole place is in a blaze." companion imperturbably. Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small meant it for the best. McCarthy's innocence. house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very "But his lameness?" "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark "I promise," said Holmes. once more. Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "We have tried and failed." layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a call the police, let the police find what they can.' "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses "'It is locked up,' I answered. no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar comes from the middle window." world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of