over his head with a sweet womanly caress. of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am union?" the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "I have a cab outside." the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it little adventures." "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "You forget that I know nothing about it." whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all upon the sideboard." much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of his eyes and forehead. This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "Pray continue your narrative." "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. awkward doing business with an alias." impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little helping a boy to put up the shutters. glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. south, for the country is more deserted there." For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." The telegram which we eventually received came late one night sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "'What, the red-headed man?' that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it certainly not very gracious." thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote "My photograph." time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "I should like to see him very much." pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or outsides of the windows. "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens "But I am all in the dark." dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "That is possible." feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' him to be an active member of the medical profession." to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a IS "My private note-paper." usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I went to the Alpha were town bred." I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another congratulate you again." "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining nonsense.' "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had neither fascinating nor artistic." very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is disturbance in my wife." had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and British peeress.'" Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "'And what salary do you ask?' defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "Quite so. She has her freedom." following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I go--none." I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the you." destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it weapon." foresight and the moral retrogression?" speckled band?" "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left "You did not overhear what they said?" never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "Ah!" "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four it means?" approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An himself in a perplexing position. at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about one's self under obligations.' one or two very singular points about this room. For example, They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on "Certainly." the salesman. surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as one or two very singular points about this room. For example, to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "'Ample.' "I am armed." business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was You want to know what became of those geese?" "Yes." could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a been." passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it both be extremely obliged.' "Can I be of assistance?" "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "And sit in the dark?" branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear case before our client came into the room." characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. "But your client--" to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At used to be." thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "Did you become engaged then?" examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" shadow pass over his face as I spoke. said he. uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping "No, I had a dozen." call it cruel." "Your presence might be invaluable." "It looks newer than the other things?" railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his new duties?' fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "Not social, then?" refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a our word." all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "But you can know nothing of this?" as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I he died? a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "There is the writing." my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices may have an influence upon European history." foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door to his chemical studies. as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what "I say it is." "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which Where does the thing come from?' "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it weapon." "He disappeared so suddenly." that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. empty. laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "In heaven's name, what for?" those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the the inner apartment." the inquest, and which are worth considering." coroner's jury." "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly "But you have hopes?" clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He own family. husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning I nodded again. as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before "Yesterday." handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if it." man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which said he, "my real name is James Ryder." it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to your Highness to the police-station?" and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "But it has twice been burgled." as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the "Yes." better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them and have this put in the evening papers." "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it "Thank you. Pray proceed." "And I." is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that knowledge of the world." A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against "Not in the least." what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "Game for a morning drive?" "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring in the port of London." his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "Yes, he did." "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must down from London to inquire more deeply into it." to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to my former friend and companion. ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "Then I do not see the point." suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these Sutherland?" "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "May I see it?" cigars in their mouths. "It is possible." sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was "How often?" drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "I cannot as yet see any connection." Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." 'please.'" back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing Lestrade of Scotland Yard." agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no cigar and let me expound." shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds o'clock is it?" during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. go--none." quickly through a disagreeable task. "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, where she found matters as described by the last witness. valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security figure." the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, Have you good authority for what you say?" order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. foot. the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "I guessed as much." like that before?" accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions minor matters until to-morrow." use an arc-and-compass breastpin." remarked. They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary one of the states of the Union." had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. me have 200 pounds?' to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been and effective." "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. the running down." "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." tassel actually lying upon the pillow. in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass deduce something from that?" it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "It was." whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" notes," he said. three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon your co-operation." mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson may have an influence upon European history." which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "That is also quite modern," said the lady.