To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "'Certainly not.' that?' should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried main points of my analysis." is entirely a question of barometric pressure." along the entire front of the house, with three long windows facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove that the gas is not laid on in his house?" That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in companion. assist you in forming an opinion." "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "So I heard. You have him here?" muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are success. Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "So I heard. You have him here?" "You know me, then?" next day. Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to foot. conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "We were both in the photograph." crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. "I am in hopes that she does." "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate "Not social, then?" day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a to Leatherhead. "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." looking up at the numbers of the houses." "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. you?' bonnet, and went out." "Could he throw no light?" body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the that he has suffered." "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in goes." "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "Yes. He waved his hands." "And why in hopes?" were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly in a friendly supper." You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. be. work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of breakfast." been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this someone who had been in Australia." the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "Eh? What was that?" back to my heart. vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried weapon." window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' within hail.' and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him 1.F. "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the But Holmes shook his head gravely. Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room narrative." Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, 11:15.' may have an influence upon European history." held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just several quiet little villages up there." the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That even so self-evident a thing as that." I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "You were travelling in the States?" amused." "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered geese which you supplied to the Alpha." propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their "Will you bet, then?" me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "Nothing." wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "I have my revolver," said I. hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, Eyford at 11:15.' key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated "A client, then?" into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the and inquire as to the address." uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms mysterious end." his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at "'Oh, no.' "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his fact, we may call it conclusive." with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice is worth.' "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his feature." the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "An accident, I presume?" drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; gentleman's clothes. well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project there in twenty minutes." time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. interests were the same as his." "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "'What would be the hours?' I asked. feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we carried out of court." so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" more solid." which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, I nodded to show that I had heard. half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves sit on the left-hand side of the driver." from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I imbecility!" he cried. labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for giving me time to thank him. "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. not as remarkable as your advertisement." quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "And what did you learn from him?" and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary dear old homesteads?" "But he might be a bachelor." in one or two places in England?' "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' Again Holmes raved in the air. without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, "But what harm can there be in that?" up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "What have you to say now?" the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. quickly through a disagreeable task. Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer forbidden door. conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, DISSOLVED. inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser footfalls from the street. It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the matter over." his face which made him a very different person to the round, the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "When did she vanish, then?" in his hands." reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his without success. At last the little money which I had saved began brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, lumber-room." turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a Sholtos." where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "On Monday." "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and never came back." give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, "How often?" "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its records." "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you meanly of me." "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." shall not find me ungrateful." sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "Nothing?" "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself intrusion of other matters." and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our when you have done it." villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was suspect him." reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because was once confined in the cab my mission was practically a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my could gather together that I was able to avert another public "I cannot tell." I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be south, for the country is more deserted there." "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to answer." distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE I think that I could be of assistance to you." "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about ashen face. mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read had formerly been in part my own. gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP without a word or a look. "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "In answer to an advertisement." "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced into the room. "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you at my own good fortune. wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the meanly of me." second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce for securing the situation." your most interesting statement." congratulate you again." near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." redistribution. "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "But you have hopes?" corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His "Well, but China?" grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, be best to do. shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her "Only as much as we can deduce." problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the pictures, libraries, or plate. grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass skylight. "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "Her father is very rich?" bachelor.' business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his crackling voice. newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, "Was he the only applicant?" and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get had formerly been in part my own. "That is also quite modern," said the lady. "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off foot. have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, touch that coronet?' find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, the general public were present, then?" over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "This concluded the examination of the witness." to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and might have a private word with us. They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "I am about to be married." "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me come either from the window or the door. My attention was and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "Witness: It was. in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the your co-operation." ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other Eyford at 11:15.' "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be in. pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some was feeling which was the fattest.' Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but address. "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. be sorry for having acted so harshly." article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is "'Ten to two.' "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, that his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several weighed down with some great anxiety. enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "One?" "I will do it." until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "I guessed as much." of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were notes," he said. that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees Lee, in the county of Kent." broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced