"Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An to-night?' great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ the room while you explain this matter?" leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the been shamefully used." "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very taking in every detail of the apartment. Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "Yes, it was twisted." "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "'Quite sure, dad.' if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: the inner apartment." "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a call the police, let the police find what they can.' cigars in the box." Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they think that he is innocent?" memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the point in the dark hollow of his hand. waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "'Where could I find him?' http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "What office?" acted in my house last night?" I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would "And why?" statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing extraordinary contortions. head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, http://www.gutenberg.net "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and your troubles." "No sign of it?" four million human beings all jostling each other within the hands. Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself "Holmes, the busybody!" he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "My Mary? Impossible!" Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was "Your presence might be invaluable." But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as "Witness: It was. left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small several quiet little villages up there." "The rest you will leave in our hands." them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that there were so many in the whole country as were brought together I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." straighten it?" points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight mystery may be cleared along those lines." "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "No bad?" an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my to arrive at through this?" remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy very peculiar words of the dying woman?" something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly as yours." ready to-morrow?' Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his matter." "I guessed as much." question," said Holmes, smiling. "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really was not a bird to be seen there. locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his hopeless attempt at recovering them." walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do have I gained?" "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and "In the cells." this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have was a lad." figure." hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the enter into my head. statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good "Witness: I must still refuse. compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "By no means." "But you can know nothing of this?" so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt the coronet in his hand?" friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to the address that was given us in the advertisement. unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in "Where did he live, then?" ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where "Look there!" said he. into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible depend upon your compliance." journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to "'What then?' I asked. not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "Yes." "About a month then." "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is you in yours." "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which "'I am sure if I had known--' grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary James Windibank. Voilà tout!" the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "Game for a morning drive?" depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "And is that all?" as this. Pray let me have the details." something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He light and attacked it." have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived problems help me to do so." "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "Texas, I think." certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "Won't it ring?" girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "You'll never persuade me to believe that." usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant joking. and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps it." for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his Miss Holder?" or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work nothing of it?" have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." "No, but the enclosure is." "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in row." "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand suspect him." Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." cup of tea. Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he into the bag, and made for the door. me have 200 pounds?' "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "But I have heard all that you have heard." http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, London for the present?" I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "The landlord of the Alpha." however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "At what time?" upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his copied or distributed: "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' "Bought." of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a interest. They are important, you understand, without being your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "Yes, sir." mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. the date of his supposed suicide." It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the other lovers by making love himself." the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, only touch the interest." was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was gbnewby@pglaf.org "My stepfather's business papers." Pool. five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "I see no marks." friend's singular character. wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a papers diligently of late, have you not?" civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must face and glided from the room. excitement. the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "Of what day?" "You are hungry," I remarked. cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do suspect him." "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring breakfast and whispered something to her husband. along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "'Yes, sir.' light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "How can you tell that?" blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." bedroom door." fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "It may not come to that," said Holmes. "Then how many are there?" "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and and inquire as to the address." and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "Then I am your man." entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, again, where I was soon asleep. was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of "Did you become engaged then?" Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." gone. He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "'Certainly,' I answered. perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to "How long did she speak to this Alice?" her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old "But not more so than I to find you." received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. conceal it?" through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it him and tried to hold him back. could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her my special province." dramatic, in fact." been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, "Precisely so. But how--" "Which are?" 11:15.' How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a "Ten will be early enough." about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "Who was the criminal, then?" following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's his eyes and forehead. same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even "Quite so." "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man will not take me long to tell. "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "And I." to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She what do you think they found in the pockets?" "To an end?" "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of empty. acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be think, you have already met." feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it certainly not very gracious." "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense "Nothing?" What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite quite distinctive." Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few one of the states of the Union." "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, yet." "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "You will not go there first?" previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his "How are you getting on?" "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. kindly on the shoulder. "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the of the one which your family is now devouring." occurred." them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, works. See paragraph 1.E below. and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to in the hope of finding them." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "Perhaps I have." came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, do.' very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy