at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "Never to return." do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "Come in!" said Holmes. "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his "And what then?" "I am in hopes that she does." and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some was used.' "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is the warnings." man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid correct than the official force." servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible be. conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. them?" lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had clanging. reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "To the police?" While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper take the flies, but not before." "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that which was all perfectly true. "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "No." "'Oh, no.' "To the police?" knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a hard-headed British jury." bachelor.' afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he "On Monday." we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for remarked. breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "Yes, at the mines." the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "Yes, but only for you and me." that before taking the final step I should like to submit the considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "'In my own bureau.' "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way writers could invent nothing more crude." what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "Only as much as we can deduce." minor matters until to-morrow." home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit for the market.' sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "To an English lawyer named Norton." followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "I cannot imagine." not personally threatened." with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and noting anything else of interest. to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the affection." the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line business matters.' these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "I cannot as yet see any connection." "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, about here speaks of his kindness to him." be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you away in different directions, and I went off to make my own can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad populous neighbourhood." possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. useful material for showing traces. The double line a little The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter front of the hall door has given its name to the place. read over the extraordinary announcement. he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "And I say east," said my patient. fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will been." He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a me where it went to?" he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "You heard nothing yourself last night?" again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out that you saw all that I did." known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that "But to whom?" house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who your bag." the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too happened." "What will you say?" that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out gives a meaning to it." 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local "Oh, yes, easily." copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." "No?" hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a "Entirely." scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time hard-headed British jury." As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. "Do you know him?" "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "The Cedars?" higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. and that he would see to anything that turned up. a few minutes he said that it would be all right. would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the breakfast?" found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't The events in question occurred in the early days of my set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout hopeless attempt at recovering them." self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "And you can do nothing until then?" side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally Farm upon the left." Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "And how did you verify them?" 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson vague figure huddled up in the darkness. in the hope of finding them." breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong was lame." Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and way in." the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "It certainly sounds feasible." casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the information in his hands the value of which he did not himself intrusion of other matters." colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." in. never will be, entirely cleared up. peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, pierced for earrings?" Farm upon the left." Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were "Why did you beat the pavement?" "You don't mind breaking the law?" one of the states of the Union." I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from that he will be back before evening." that he will be back before evening." which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had I have it here in my museum." the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the affair. de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the hereditary King of Bohemia." right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four hardly wander." ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater he died? form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to them, and came down just as you departed. subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the possible that we could bring him back to her? and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us taking in every detail of the apartment. than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked "It is very clear." the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three have an American origin." beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, ourselves in the office." "At what time?" adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "'Yes.' case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "We must sit without light. He would see it through the nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are whereabouts. like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is again before evening." seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal hand, madam?" case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All of fine shops and stately business premises that they really he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious orange pips. and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "That also I could fathom." in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that and wait." "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would when you have done it." went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a have had none more fantastic than this." coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." my secret was safe in his possession. "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "He might." hour." that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they copied or distributed: "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she works. See paragraph 1.E below. "My opinion is in no way altered." head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "Murdered?" silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, call you and give you the chance." "'Yes, sir.' past. I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. Again Holmes raved in the air. "I don't believe it." had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six Eyford." him." over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to himself to tell his story. Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring only touch the interest." But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have his wife has ceased to love him." with her." as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some taking in every detail of the apartment. 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I speckled band?" save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his "Yes, at the mines." There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. opened a pocket-book and took out a note. to-night's adventure." the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His became a certainty. in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared neither fascinating nor artistic." "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found your only hope of safety." "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "Of Friday, June 19th." feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "That also I could fathom." "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that him to go away.' the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "Yes, it was twisted." anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle new acquaintance to Baker Street. friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must "Entirely." an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "Always." Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into of the one which your family is now devouring." taking in every detail of the apartment. instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant heavy and sharp instrument." "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must as he remarks, very much against the son." and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching "My photograph." "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." "I am still in the dark." breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up daring than any effort of the imagination." years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds "'Ten to two.' to surprise her." must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a read it out to me." exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, "Certainly." introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an "I promise," said Holmes. people don't know." "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital without success. At last the little money which I had saved began flock.' over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers.