any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. interest. They are important, you understand, without being "She will not sell." But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If locked. alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "Then, how do you know?" should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong of Fenchurch Street." however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and it." of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "Look there!" said he. said I. business matters.' like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend official police." "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "I don't say that. Perhaps." including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "'Yes, I promise.' full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. girl said." girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "Now, then, what's the last entry?" possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE way in everything. detained." WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. could go. confronted him. "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the details." "No." offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective little trying to do so much typewriting?" occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "I think that I had better go, Holmes." "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father the bed, and you in that chair." "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me when your master had gone out." companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in locked." blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "What then?" the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "And you can do nothing until then?" introspective fashion. whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the "And help." station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at here." band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was returned to France?" "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I again before evening." "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this noise which awoke you from your sleep?" little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to the matter?" before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be suddenly upon us." thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a fluttered off among the others. piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "I am following you closely," I answered. the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "It goes to the housekeeper's room." and the colonel ushered me in. carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was status with the IRS. hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "What of the rat, then?" would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the "And leave your case unfinished?" that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now way in everything. it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove I am not easy in my mind about them." saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm side. took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they there was no need for father to know." "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "No. His orders were to stay in the house." increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the "No more words. Get out!" With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "'Never.' flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." records." also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down not personally threatened." Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. "He disappeared so suddenly." habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." voice. lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "None. Neville wrote those words." foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a writer." he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it over his head with a sweet womanly caress. St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "It looks newer than the other things?" opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the triumphant cloud from his cigarette. silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the some mystery and the punishment of some crime." light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "But to whom?" hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for written. home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right the bed, and you in that chair." cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the "It goes to the housekeeper's room." Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a new duties?' companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange province." "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, II. "But it has twice been burgled." material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as other, as fresh and trim as possible. Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the I have it here in my museum." from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for hour?' "No, I had a dozen." him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their exactly what you advise." eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself not use it unless it is absolutely needed." spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety "Well, some hundreds of times." "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's good for you to do.' the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was "Has he come with you to-night?" Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. you want, then?' his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "'You doubt its value?' he asked. which it had come upon my father." "My photograph." distinguish the words: You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "And I say east," said my patient. "You have carte blanche." "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "I do." "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," and it need not interfere very much with one's other "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "No, I am descending." "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "I was mad--insane." think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it without success. At last the little money which I had saved began examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious "No." "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as hopeless attempt at recovering them." breakfast." "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. murdered man." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of in one or two places in England?' twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds "Then I shall certainly come." other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If posted to-day." highroad, where all traces were lost. "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He business?" the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I and have this put in the evening papers." homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and to affect your life." his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual bird I ate is country bred." Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I wedding?" my little problems." assist you in forming an opinion." details should find their way into the papers. Inspector I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." charge against him will break down." is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." to you." gone. predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "In San Francisco, a year ago." struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw trying to your nerves." "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But Holmes' face clouded over. "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" answered with a sidelong glance. waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental bore every mark of being an average commonplace British as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while if she died from some sudden fright." "My photograph." and files of the old papers, following the future career of every Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" "I assure you that I am in your hands." "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "'Oh, no.' "No sign of it?" province." jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with business." sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was notes," he said. The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet emerged. "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." before, for it was considerably after midnight. was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "I promise," said Holmes. with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of telegram would bring me down to your help." was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. fear." time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs questioning and rather startled gaze. common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure from the brougham. amused." chambers. get the tickets." "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the "Frequently." secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of in one or two places in England?' which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen room had already been engaged for us. can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case "Where did he live, then?" "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed best detective that ever lived. Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the "You have the photograph?" completely overtopped every other consideration that we both questionable one." Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he "Game for a morning drive?" Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" The note was undated, and without either signature or address. sentimental considerations in the background which would induce Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "You have it, sir, just as it happened." open." knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar begun to whiten, even as mine has." be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to ran thus: "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, advice." deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "It is true that I have been generally successful." papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. "BALLARAT." the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. brandy and water within his reach. "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been God! What an exposure! What can I do?" was not a bird to be seen there. possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where sparkled upon his finger. not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "My stepfather's business papers." cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other business matters.' we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. vanished into the darkness. desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out