will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so pierced for earrings?" to-night?' to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. footfalls from the street. the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "And now?" I asked. pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been was shining brightly. diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, stood on the top of it. zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." the morning and make my own way in the world.' Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, which are rolled in Rotterdam." but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about come either from the window or the door. My attention was see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? never came back." "Where, then?" "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? three fields round his house, and there he would take his in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was about. "'Yes, I promise.' "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, any more." glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the was a perfect sample of the class. "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong good-night and bustled off upon her way. sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. carriage. It was a chestnut." "Ha! you find it so?" has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter was a loud and authoritative tap. should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated Arthur Conan Doyle became a certainty. "'And the work?' help us in this matter." little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "Yes, it would be as well." happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in "Yes, from Horsham." broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and kind enough to tell me what I should do." utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "I am armed." "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an national property. I was determined that the law should have its very old mansion. and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a "No, I am descending." my secret was safe in his possession. "And I." returned to France?" "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would the tragedy. tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the "Holmes, the busybody!" fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his despair." "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would the driver. "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door outbreak?" You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner in this note: like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror "It goes to the housekeeper's room." however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me done what I asked you, Jones?" "A call for help, you thought?" among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." "My stepfather's business papers." copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to are, and they are waiting for us." peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "By train from Waterloo." "Proceed, then." Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "Get out!" said he. "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "But his left-handedness." to-morrow." Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant she has been waylaid. There has been no result." outbreak?" quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this do.' "Come in!" said he. INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard present." been anything against him. He had for years been known as a "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "But his lameness?" "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away been lifted and conveyed somewhere." say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other here." "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to "I will get her to show me." were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "It goes to the housekeeper's room." I. Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must II. he. at once, for I have only half an hour." that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to "On Monday." saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked as yours." screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into I took the paper from him and read as follows: With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help call for protection in the marriage market, for the present "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." my secret was safe in his possession. The King stared at him in amazement. word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the searched, without anything being found which could incriminate had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere Pope's Court, Fleet Street." the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. was a lad." entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty your equipment. "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part "I would pay ten." nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a acted in my house last night?" "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who cigars in the box." to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." galvanised. to-night's adventure." drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "Yes, sir." through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this that you can jump it.' secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." house for five minutes.' distance from the station, and there we found the young lady repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. second." Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" his huge brown hands. such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to "Yesterday." but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I "So it appears." fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards "VIOLET HUNTER." From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I arrangements." "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" to a light-house. at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of you." highly," said Holmes. some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of helping a boy to put up the shutters. There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of you want, then?' right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his footfalls from the street. "'Never.' and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon father's place of business?" "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on ways of our fellow-men." reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut some water from a caraffe. "My dear Holmes!" laugh and put his lips to my ear. throat." been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I retorted upon me, and I on you." He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "'Certainly not. But why?' at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and drawing your inferences." suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about "Quite so." "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was are windows in it, of course?" hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is be there in time for your coming." civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the works. See paragraph 1.E below. "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking "And it is--" everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "My dear Holmes!" arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever criminal. We have already had experience of such." "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a woman." "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "Which are?" the tragedy. From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "We were both in the photograph." rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the power." be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk became a certainty. into the room. "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" have accepted such a situation. that you wished to speak to me?' it were putty." from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill upon an income of about 60 pounds." a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' have accepted such a situation. for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I interests were the same as his." door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." "Witness: Nothing definite. was a loud and authoritative tap. stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. cigars in their mouths. between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "Ah, but I was recommended to you." attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have I leave." his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "None." my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased discontent upon his features. dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police who was a member of your goose club." The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "Oh, yes, easily." triumphant cloud from his cigarette. At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about "No more words. Get out!" "My opinion is in no way altered." friend's singular character. used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But address. there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all one or two very singular points about this room. For example, knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "Nearly eleven." "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, 'please.'" "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. without success. At last the little money which I had saved began walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at foresight and the moral retrogression?" nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to forecastle of an emigrant ship. generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in "You will not go there first?" tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his for the market.' the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country the loss of it. "None." horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in that I am arrested." "And help." keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. wall." "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, you in yours." woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "But how?" I took the paper from him and read as follows: "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait McCarthy's innocence. in the hope of finding them."