was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. colour had been driven from his face. "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to introspective fashion. "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon should be taken.' nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and comes from the middle window." Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as and effective." there." permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "On Monday." that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there crowd. "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I remarked. "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "'Yes, I promise.' hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to himself to hunt down. came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was memory. grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, "Yes." down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter shadow pass over his face as I spoke. might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's should be taken.' through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "I will get her to show me." a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to the stable lane now." therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have "'It is locked up,' I answered. "The King of Scandinavia." "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. to have that photograph." assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser south, for the country is more deserted there." web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have "You have carte blanche." "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever secret." aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me him to be an active member of the medical profession." They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good Street. "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes "And what did you learn from him?" "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different generous with you in money matters.' idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I business." idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, my friend's incisive reasoning. it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at your room." beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their notes," he said. impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little "No. His orders were to stay in the house." first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of the Assizes." I. nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "I shall be delighted." "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the bore every mark of being an average commonplace British been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go "And your mother is alive?" in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only read it out to me." in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the strong and stiff." It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "The best possible." at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "Indeed! Whose, then?" and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of who was a member of your goose club." "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. strode off upon his way. tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys "I never have." Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, fear." paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." The note was undated, and without either signature or address. determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. case-book, which he consulted. but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. point in the dark hollow of his hand. suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would the very morning of the wedding." spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a Dr. Gregory B. Newby where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to "'Why that?' I asks. he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she possible that we could bring him back to her? copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to "'Quite sure, dad.' and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That official police." "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a assist you in forming an opinion." "How do you know, then?" was once confined in the cab my mission was practically of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has relation between them, and what the object of his repeated it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned fire. You quite follow me?" "'Then let me do so?' housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily mystery may be cleared along those lines." caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "But I have heard all that you have heard." already referred to. Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which out." figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very Does that suggest anything?" grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been to that open window." this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the paper in the air. "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "What steps will you take?" I asked. disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure "Nothing." "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near I took the paper from him and read as follows: hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." that I may have something better before very many minutes are upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has "But you can know nothing of this?" "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found Heh?' which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. 'I should be able to look after that for you.' discontent upon his features. will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when weighed down with some great anxiety. that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is copied or distributed: "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. there were one or two details which were new to me. But the hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems showing my impatience. "I cannot as yet see any connection." fled together." "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips charged with?" London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "No, finished." the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in place of silver." remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the never to learn it at all." and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He papers must be those that are destroyed.' their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. Street. every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" "'Yes, sir.' kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad for securing the situation." Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side upon the shelf for the interim." "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "You have carte blanche." For additional contact information: slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." once more for Briony Lodge. safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not Miss Holder?" crime." "What of the rat, then?" examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way it means?" residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "Yes, sir." absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, whether it answered to the description of any of their contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of I am not easy in my mind about them." But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her instincts rose up against that laugh. "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." stepfather?" left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small in a very precise fashion." surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "'And the work?' cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not tapping his fingers upon the table. "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be "It surprised me." grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight back into the street. ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From nothing with him." "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are returned to France?" "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said ways of our fellow-men." Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my tied." desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. disappearance of the bride.'" box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," "It goes to the housekeeper's room." flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I married her." tell him that I know him to be innocent." groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works bearing upon the case." weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this keep the flames under. the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "Have you it here?" one of them." arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third depend upon my doing so.' "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, down. sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is Surrey." near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "Yes." The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was asked. means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about geese which you supplied to the Alpha." can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the "So I have heard." mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded completely overtopped every other consideration that we both wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the tell me that you intended to go into harness." "What!" he roared. photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong "And I." "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "This concluded the examination of the witness." The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "On the contrary, this is the right side." more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "ARAT," I read. "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's emerged. railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his business in the City. She little knew what. "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "You horrify me." one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and "But what will you do?" "But of what society?" "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the horse could go." "That is unusual in a young girl." "'Yes, it was gone.' slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had as he folded up the epistle. abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. the station." She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "'Then let me do so?' "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, 11:15.' rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre