"Witness: Nothing definite. akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." do you make of it all?" outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." chance." "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow father's young wife. England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "I should wish to." whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll that "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." this truth that in these little records of our cases which you 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. your most interesting statement." "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all it." it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., yourselves in at night?" "It is no ordinary one." hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "It surprised me." "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in spare." companion. Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no triumphant cloud from his cigarette. hands. his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now suddenly upon us." There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible likely to be some crony of the landlady's." trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, bearing upon the case." We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "I will do it." sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. lost his Christmas dinner." grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? British peeress.'" terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. are, and they are waiting for us." obstinate." shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." held up the lantern and gazed about him. and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no what do you think they found in the pockets?" "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly Mrs. Toller serenely. his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some Holmes' room. "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to "Stoke Moran?" said he. typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three way: the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the against a man in the prime of life?" the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something of this gang." was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I "Then you may be so with me." the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and business." the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and nonsense.' burst into a hearty fit of laughter. for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." geese which you supplied to the Alpha." are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you generous with you in money matters.' into her hand at the door and which lured her within their caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. "I promise," said Holmes. but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass to-night." star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other electronic works sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in trying to your nerves." throat." address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." back into the street. the little opening for the ventilator is." extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman it were putty." We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my desk. husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am your most interesting statement." grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some events, Mr. Windibank!" the coronet in his hand?" girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where me have 200 pounds?' his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "He said too much." "That was it, sir." learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That business came to an end." "And why in hopes?" dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his amused." "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent compunction about shooting them down." away into the river." absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I During two years I have had three consultations and one small "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "Did you observe the colour?" "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "But of what society?" basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "We must sit without light. He would see it through the how narrow had been my escape. drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: the night.' clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. strong and stiff." remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt man. her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was "But he might be a bachelor." things are very often connected not with the larger but with the A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to Pool. with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves together. really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which "And how did you verify them?" from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, true." large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake since then to throw any light upon what became of him." caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the sit on the left-hand side of the driver." impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no young Openshaw's." round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "It is possible." rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." because she had spent so short a time in this country that she necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "But it has twice been burgled." that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not it." of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that I have it here in my museum." near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "Where did you address your letters, then?" of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. which our visitor detailed to us. somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has writer." you in your example." heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." memory. "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled unprofitable." classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, hopeless attempt at recovering them." of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached envelope. Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "On your arm?" humiliation." southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been sofa. This way, please!" importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable stammered. moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it during that time.' "'In my own bureau.' crackling voice. Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I the coronet in his hand?" "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I do.' labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. room had already been engaged for us. something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the helping a boy to put up the shutters. may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem had no one to advise her at such a crisis." but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he must compliment you." Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "'Ten to two.' of Fenchurch Street." cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of "You are hungry," I remarked. slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an he. With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the your own bird, so if you wish--" destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the husband's writing, madam." where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for train from Paddington which would bring you there at about premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any populous neighbourhood." association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His and capable of preserving a secret.' arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. he died? "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was know all about it," he snarled. heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the in darkness. observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely feature." "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in away to you." surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "'Certainly not. But why?' ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. three fields round his house, and there he would take his "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. papers must be those that are destroyed.' your troubles." other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, rooms." come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel woven round him. what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many clanging. straighten it?" him!" compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and to a more successful conclusion." rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "One of the highest in England." do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it you?' this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his locked." sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." room had already been engaged for us. receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." appeal." he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' reach." your Highness to the police-station?" client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my the bottom.' postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and the night.' "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "If so, much may have happened between." some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. "And I." "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "Yesterday." done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the the one as in the other." appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of "I was mad--insane." "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." points in connection with it which never have been, and probably But Holmes shook his head gravely. had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is