which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." always that they were such commands as a lady might with and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. hour." deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the shaken than I had ever seen him. livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of hereditary King of Bohemia." the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "And your father? Did you tell him?" observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen Pool. "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. Surrey." "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "What have you to say now?" "A greater distance to travel." he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon that he has suffered." events than those which have happened in my own family." "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner unclasping of his long thin hands. "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "Has he come with you to-night?" "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "What do you mean?" still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, photograph a cabinet?" "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a during that time.' jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "Stolen, then." gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. Mary, has deserted me." "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or jewels which you have stolen?' partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, "Whose house is it?" my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders rooms." deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its stammered. groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed she to prove their authenticity?" "A call for help, you thought?" in his hands." sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against "Yes, it was twisted." betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "'Never.' "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor interests were the same as his." sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could "Yesterday." beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where "'Ten to two.' "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of guilty parties." The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that a few minutes he said that it would be all right. willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' "And is that all?" engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was strange features which were associated with the two crimes which is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you in this note: "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not of the vacancies.' guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not signal between you and your father? "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your and have this put in the evening papers." "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "You are hungry," I remarked. with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. with frightened eyes at his accuser. wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of his knees, staring into the fire. "Well, but China?" "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "You don't mind breaking the law?" certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "At what time?" without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a my room." business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "VIOLET HUNTER." out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of have not had my rubber." his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "And why?" it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case do." danger is over." order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it four million human beings all jostling each other within the enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin tear off another piece?' "Did he not advertise?" "'Where to?' "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open yet." these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at suspect him." "How did you trace it, then?" something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "That is easily got." in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and carpenter." "But how?" much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said begin with, and I had not got mine yet." interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and your bag." furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "Pray continue your narrative." outside. "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The bird I ate is country bred." prison!" on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life gone before you can get him to hospital." quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. of the way of danger. accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The nothing with him." guilty parties." very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in himself to tell his story. "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our "Stolen." of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and acquaintance?" at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful to-night?" I asked. chill to my heart. "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "Oh, the cause is excellent!" considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is "Entirely." body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "I cannot say that I have." zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." residence of the great financier. business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. "Then I do not see the point." "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and undoubtedly my uncle's." "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I in him." Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. entirely lost his self-respect." the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in results." "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet you." (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it disappearance of the bride.'" his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "And what then?" was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "I have solved it." would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem I took the paper from him and read as follows: Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." You can understand that this register and diary may implicate come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "9th. McCauley cleared. pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the minor matters until to-morrow." At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he affair. "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather and files of the old papers, following the future career of every dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "And the murderer?" about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small business at Coburg Square is serious." "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right to me. "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a opened a pocket-book and took out a note. half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I remarked. instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it learned something! Where are the gems?" "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my "No bad?" was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "You have a clue?" girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" "Pray do so." "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and there were one or two details which were new to me. But the blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "Will you go?" my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. thirty. it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low again." girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "This concluded the examination of the witness." walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "About a month then." the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" have accepted such a situation. "'Not at all. I only doubt--' ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "Awake, Watson?" he asked. "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel Literary Archive Foundation "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more shaken than I had ever seen him. furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "No. What a strange idea!" and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with results." but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On our word." system of imprisonment?" forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "What office?" which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing closely." old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I photograph?" passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated residence of the great financier. "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low "No?" herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "Not yet." I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily arms and began to sob in a high treble key. that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each examine." decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon ready to-morrow?' The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the "And did you observe any change in her then?" in a very precise fashion." said he. just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he matter over." he bowed and left the room without another word. a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to gone. Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. cost them two and thirty pounds." ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were "Yes, they were peculiar boots." my room." took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "Frequently." affection." mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come