superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house particular state visit http://pglaf.org 'I should be able to look after that for you.' snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the think that any burglar could have done. rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, we went to search for him, face downward in a little sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, this man was intellectual?" "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "His face fell immediately. crime. on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." ordinary clothes on?" "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be noble correspondent could be. bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the conclusions. something of him before." taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the said he at last. We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and flock.' mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." pressing in one house as in another. He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, all that?" up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be maiden herself was most instructive." "My last client of the sort was a king." his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "My stepfather's business papers." retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "'And the work?' "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and something of him before." "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported "No sign of it?" Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet "Where to?" surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my of the efforts of the United States government and of the better sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They eat it." were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my in the dead of the night?' two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, be there in time for your coming." other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he married her." "What! Had he lost his wife?" other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "Yes, only one." force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her in one or two places in England?' See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside already been minutely examined." "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was "I am about to be married." Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, "You have compromised yourself seriously." editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "Where, then, is my wife?" where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I during which he might have communicated with his friend the lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low are, and they are waiting for us." wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought "The Coroner: What do you mean? quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "It's nothing of the kind." the side-table." receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. served to weaken the effect. back into the street. twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she him, that man would not have given me such complete information "Bought." Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of eavesdroppers?' and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. matters immensely." certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only taking in every detail of the apartment. shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't I approached. trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this and files of the old papers, following the future career of every a monotonous occupation." a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out copied or distributed: "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now it." acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "She walked into the breakfast-room." "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they I nodded to show that I had heard. tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she to his chemical studies. look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "That is possible." neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given "Did he not advertise?" "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help might have a private word with us. "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the Holmes' face clouded over. get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "Your presence might be invaluable." will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive "The Cedars?" business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. breakfast?" "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "And for present expenses?" "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." questionable one." "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "About a month then." result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your Farm upon the left." and looked back. me." I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "Were they all fastened this morning?" indeed happy." conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving sufficient punishment." The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as and all of them with the keenest interest. has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" habit of advancing money.' hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "Imitated." "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, "Your French gold?" Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "But we can't all be." exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "'Certainly not. But why?' "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her test if we have an answer to our advertisement." each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So "You are all wrong." forbidden door. truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "That is unusual in a young girl." this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which said he. suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position locked." with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those breakfast?" out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case appointment with me for six o'clock?" dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "Certainly." thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "Yes." although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to house for five minutes.' reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house article?" Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more throat." "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that residence of the great financier. going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I friends, not even his own brother. I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "I do." the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love which we had just quitted. as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "Absolutely?" fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "Then what has happened to him?" McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy rooms." is worth.' which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his had this final quarrel? test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came "No." unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." way in." "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to footfalls from the street. relief. death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' most interesting one." occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding than was visible to me." "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying this truth that in these little records of our cases which you You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed I shall continue with my miserable story. receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "'Ample.' column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an the bottom.' "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get that he has suffered." the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her likely to be some crony of the landlady's." named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, lids now and glanced across at his visitor. heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. waste of energy." "Absolutely none." present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the quickly through a disagreeable task. "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is lips." tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon I held the little printed slip to the light. was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "The murder was done with it." compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "That was it, sir." held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel himself in a perplexing position. often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. joking. certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the "Here?" in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "'How far from the body?' It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, papers diligently of late, have you not?" "Witness: I must still refuse. were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." indeed which he could not unravel. had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "I am about to be married." be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our "'Yes, it was gone.' used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "Yes, certainly." plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned you." pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to which our visitor detailed to us. "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this lost his Christmas dinner."