continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been have had none more fantastic than this." distance from the station, and there we found the young lady young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." opportunities to fix the problem. the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, appeal." "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a "'Ten to two.' through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. and have this put in the evening papers." "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. one's self under obligations.' into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears "I was mad--insane." "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may views." moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "Seven!" I answered. absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, you want, then?' unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" swore that no one else had been in the front room during the the coronet in his hand?" back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I you?' he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very "Witness: Nothing definite. his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think completely overtopped every other consideration that we both enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I forbidden door. yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" what these perils are?" "Her father is very rich?" sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "Entirely." round with crates and massive boxes. and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been "Then I shall certainly come." rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an him to be an active member of the medical profession." his forehead." kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet him." the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "And that is--" the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not the loss of it. possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into third from London." time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it golden eyeglasses. they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other "She walked into the breakfast-room." leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss society." "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "What shall I do?" the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a generous with you in money matters.' same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "And why?" "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." geese which you supplied to the Alpha." ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "Were they all fastened this morning?" "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me were wasted." "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or empty. Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "I have my revolver," said I. paper in the air. "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon it were putty." "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the believe that I should never have any practice at all. "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King companion. unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of the devil!" have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his that, and I came down." "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But I took the paper from him and read as follows: "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more persecution?" the best of training." Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "Thank you. Pray proceed." beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the me upon any point which I do not make clear." Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the your most interesting statement." entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at lids now and glanced across at his visitor. how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been have been better. It is all right." interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one must be when I saw the door open.' with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," Henry Baker is a member." estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir prisoner's face. in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who already referred to. habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "So I heard. You have him here?" detective. is so. I know all about McCarthy." taking in every detail of the apartment. married her." were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one she used." of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and "'Ample.' pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. always that they were such commands as a lady might with was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "Ten will be early enough." abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "She will not sell." headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry and glanced through. "No." from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the "No, I had a dozen." pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "Oh, fresh and glossy." "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander copied or distributed: exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "No, finished." of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just papers must be those that are destroyed.' "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly must be when I saw the door open.' Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and highly," said Holmes. once more to my work. Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by thought that she would have been so carried away." so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my "I will, Miss Turner." "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "You have compromised yourself seriously." "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for must be when I saw the door open.' used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." guilty one." meanly of me." away in different directions, and I went off to make my own "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was entirely lost his self-respect." results." the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open outbreak?" "Did you observe the colour?" and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a was a lad." air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is photograph a cabinet?" here." I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "'How far from the body?' Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he DAMAGE. "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten absolutely follow my advice in every respect." minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, charged with?" until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two pound a week." desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady in a very precise fashion." brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "'How far from the body?' the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could again." train from Paddington which would bring you there at about disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you lectures into a series of tales." "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin instincts rose up against that laugh. uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the "But how?" breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, "Stolen." slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his get her out of the way." beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just the bottom.' spare." as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It is so. I know all about McCarthy." mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after her also." conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, "Have you her photograph?" reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the has little to do with my story." "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had tassel actually lying upon the pillow. know what is wrong with it.' "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from place no limit on the sum I may draw." He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "Where, indeed?" anything to do with the matter?" in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a children over to America with him, so that I found myself without centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed standing smiling on the door-step. to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me brain must have something in it." "I warn you that they are very incomplete." We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was "But your client--" have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." colonel looking down at me. afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "But I have heard all that you have heard." been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. and shall probably return to London by the evening train." them present such singular features as the strange train of entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case children over to America with him, so that I found myself without beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "'As governess?' "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with night.' said he. from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long retorted upon me, and I on you." He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with help us in this matter." misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "When did she vanish, then?" 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm presume?" "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' you do it in twenty minutes!' "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. been." reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had fait accompli?" his cane at the bell-pull. have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other this unhappy family?" have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon entirely devoid of interest." place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client sake, don't!" "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; invisible to me," I remarked. "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many foot. before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. "Only as much as we can deduce." written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith said I. You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body prisoner's face. "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard,