strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair to affect your life." solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his rose-bushes. attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend approach us with offers to donate. fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever of this gang." lost nothing by them." photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor my little problems." to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated my friend's incisive reasoning. enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us nice household for a young lady." "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, me what he had done with the three missing stones. dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham highly," said Holmes. making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "You have compromised yourself seriously." friends, not even his own brother. was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. very morning of my second wedding." hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to conceal it?" the general public were present, then?" was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while the child." Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "Witness: It was. cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a shoulder; "he's all right." that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the with her." the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "No, I think that I'll take it." up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened should be taken.' believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I the inner apartment." this truth that in these little records of our cases which you lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," wedding?" "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, Again Holmes raved in the air. that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond was a lad." Foundation tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "A greater distance to travel." convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur arms and began to sob in a high treble key. when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by roused himself from his reverie. that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been "I am in hopes that she does." "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity "But how will you look?" "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at off." seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I "'You cannot say what it was?' the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. "How are you getting on?" man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "Where did you address your letters, then?" "In answer to an advertisement." swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very had picked up in the wood. case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that weary and pale-looking. sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about a monotonous occupation." my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is down from London to inquire more deeply into it." our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My the coronet in his hand?" "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very question," said Holmes, smiling. plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now "It is very clear." black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself be.' murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, "Where did he live, then?" "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "You'll never persuade me to believe that." She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were with the outside air!" the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, in a very precise fashion." "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked have established a very serious case against the son of the "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that night.' said he. law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might until night should bring an explanation. strong reason behind." been lifted and conveyed somewhere." unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you to a light-house. as yours." no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "No." that he has suffered." just ask you whether you had heard it.' "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated noble correspondent could be. Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and yourselves in at night?" little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, "May I see it?" "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. me. You must get home instantly and act." "Do you go out much in society?" uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "What are they?" air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would away to you." would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "Very. But will he see it?" expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable front of me. VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at "There is the writing." "Your sister is dead, then?" tear off another piece?' I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "Where did you address your letters, then?" not within a twentieth part of the market price." vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing daring than any effort of the imagination." in the port of London." has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For you in yours." Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "Breckinridge is his name." footfalls from the street. not as remarkable as your advertisement." invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I characteristics, but those are the more obvious." silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set "Yes." occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable experiences." was it brought him the coronet? outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I "I am still in the dark." husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and all?" saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? the very morning of the wedding." believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across depend upon your compliance." with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will the morning and make my own way in the world.' there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and writers could invent nothing more crude." was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and "Have you her photograph?" Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he shag which I had seen upon the previous night. anything to a woman, for she would have her way." without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he photograph?" for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "'Is purely nominal.' upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather horse could go." they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked thought that she would have been so carried away." is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are dramatic, in fact." "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon "'It is locked up,' I answered. "The landlord of the Alpha." "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over you want, then?' down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "What then?" to surprise her." The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "But the mystery?" "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my approach us with offers to donate. "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "Not in the least." a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. bled considerably." story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "Where, then?" quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, that he will be back before evening." "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what point our research must commence, and we will begin it by upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried "But not more so than I to find you." look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. upon the shelf for the interim." and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to my friend's incisive reasoning. "Eh? What was that?" had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "What can you not understand?" bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most respectable self." in darkness. the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never me. clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of helping a boy to put up the shutters. may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest if only as a check to my own memory." "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the I have it here in my museum." have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. how narrow had been my escape. into the room. It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "Stoke Moran?" said he. "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. strong reason behind." "A greater distance to travel." Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "So it appears." the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for "By no means." my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "You have compromised yourself seriously." street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of annoyance, but no jest. chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a point in the dark hollow of his hand. swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a so.' bled considerably." "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate "I was mad--insane." "Then, as to money?" overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in never to learn it at all." to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, Again Holmes raved in the air. "Then, how do you know?" the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "Where did you address your letters, then?" have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, "Absolutely none." bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his John Swain, of St. Augustine. "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole "A confidential servant?" firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly more solid." reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "'Which dealer's?' to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "But the mystery?" waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.'