"'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, directors, with the result that you have seen." "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him arrested. You then--" that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and confronted him. carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me stepfather?" giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "Well, it is a possible supposition." course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened weighed down with some great anxiety. "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the stood on the top of it. "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get people in all walks of life. "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and because she had spent so short a time in this country that she seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, are, I think, all that we need." even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have page at http://pglaf.org "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of Munro.' and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the "You don't mind breaking the law?" roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the criminal. We have already had experience of such." the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed next day. painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular pity, because in other respects you would really have done very was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly and your relations to her." while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and Count Von Kramm." "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most now. It seems that there had been some informality about their sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." to Leatherhead. in his hands." the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "I should be immensely obliged to you." size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have dates and names. skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." jewels which you have stolen?' "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was works. See paragraph 1.E below. quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "But how did you gain them?" shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to made his money." "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which her also." "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face him!" "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "Absolutely none." observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his burst into a hearty fit of laughter. fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, is acting for the best. been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship key turn in the lock." with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "Seven!" I answered. "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "One?" hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is on in his house." eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands time." yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the mystery!" direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich cup of tea. TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE begun to whiten, even as mine has." the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "You have it, sir, just as it happened." table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do was a loud and authoritative tap. the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only "Then, as to money?" facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I system of imprisonment?" "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself chemical work which was so dear to him. "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective "Which surely he restored to their owner?" London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside the ceiling. resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more the matter." "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable voice, changing her seat as requested. "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' minor matters until to-morrow." latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "Certainly." weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. on in his house." "No. His orders were to stay in the house." pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner "What!" he roared. Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. The events in question occurred in the early days of my considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being was feeling which was the fattest.' As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course so.' the warnings." without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two as this. Pray let me have the details." and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular of receipt of the work. impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative you give your casting vote to?" have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" "Has he come with you to-night?" balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. the window, rose as we entered. "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique lids now and glanced across at his visitor. Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite States. PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just such person." It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project there were one or two details which were new to me. But the certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "Then, how do you know?" way: putting in the horse. fait accompli?" "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in do you make of it all?" said he at last. "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful flock.' as he remarks, very much against the son." had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had key turn in the lock." can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "Then how many are there?" 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert writing, and yet I know it well." natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It his face which made him a very different person to the round, "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "And from a noble client?" more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since be there in time for your coming." was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is "Well." "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so "And Irene Adler?" "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able instincts rose up against that laugh. "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been "At the wedding breakfast." one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "Yes?" upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have "Well, some hundreds of times." once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "If I can be of use." saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "I would give my fortune to have them back." "'Certainly,' I answered. "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name happened." and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout sake, don't!" of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small just called myself is not exactly my own." red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, newspaper selections." did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of is entirely a question of barometric pressure." And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" correct than the official force." on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "Texas, I think." "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." outside. weapon." bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf do.' "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a my former friend and companion. time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one bled considerably." I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have leaning back in his chair. being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious prove to be little relation between the different incidents of another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "And how have you succeeded?" very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, there is a decided draught." this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, "This concluded the examination of the witness." away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At back into the street. comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." one else, I think." them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as October 9, 1890. flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "Not yet." "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you this man was intellectual?" scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, together. practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true whereabouts. "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "But his lameness?" "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, late." "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It whereabouts. "No good news?" for and were ordered to this address. He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "Why, it's a dummy," said he. could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent have accepted such a situation. woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "Yes." earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can question. "Yes, all." a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being or in danger--" "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, main points of my analysis." there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for crime." invisible to me," I remarked. possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank acquaintance?" forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what completely overtopped every other consideration that we both companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "And now?" He raised his hand. stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "No." previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "That also I could fathom." hard-headed British jury." single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "It was an hour's good drive." depend upon my doing so.' "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same families. Now for the facts. very old mansion. Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "That is possible." doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from other, as fresh and trim as possible. Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his knowledge of the world." vanished into the darkness. "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "What can you not understand?" seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "Yes." along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "From his hat?" that he will be back before evening." Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed question you as to those details which seem to me to be most after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in brought there to personate someone, and the real person is scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us of a light. Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "It came here." "Yes, sir." The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your with you alone." Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in