"And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "Yes." to have that photograph." pressing in one house as in another. there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie James Windibank. Voilà tout!" places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked hopeless attempt at recovering them." Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see held up the lantern and gazed about him. suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small geese which you supplied to the Alpha." problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of husband's writing, madam." "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" out of this horrible affair." confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I call for protection in the marriage market, for the present "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "To an end?" slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that that you wished to speak to me?' rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would to a more successful conclusion." wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." pressing in one house as in another. 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to up this clue while it is still hot." upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted prove to be little relation between the different incidents of however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." fishes. wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you without success. At last the little money which I had saved began stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. than was visible to me." pictures, libraries, or plate. "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable of the vacancies.' Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up have established a very serious case against the son of the will he say when he returns?" really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so tear off another piece?' quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "Come in!" said Holmes. "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock so.' Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads himself to hunt down. I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could the side-table." "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "I do." been lifted and conveyed somewhere." I shall communicate with you." Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' 1.F. in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can the window, rose as we entered. already referred to. particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "Absolutely?" dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. mystery may be cleared along those lines." of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "Which are?" "9th. McCauley cleared. already been minutely examined." who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and "Ample." the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled help us in this matter." scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" manager. rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings himself. I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a tied." "Yes, it would be as well." outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a "This concluded the examination of the witness." "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under you?' would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this John Swain, of St. Augustine. and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." suggested at once that there must be a communication between the a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "It must be recovered." "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" very morning of my second wedding." nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a back into the street. at once, for I have only half an hour." to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where even of instruction." We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "You horrify me!" at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be seven miles from Eyford Station.' without a word or a look. explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." disturbance in my wife." and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official have not had my rubber." "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an possible that we could bring him back to her? propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are legal crime." Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a there were so many in the whole country as were brought together I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never garden below. outside. only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away closely." enter Dr. Roylott's room." eat it." shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of constraint." Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the eavesdroppers?' to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the attention." "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "The best possible." minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" "'Quite sure, dad.' exactly what you advise." She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it cigars in their mouths. Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" ways including including checks, online payments and credit card here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came all that?" served to weaken the effect. the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." he. "Can I be of assistance?" jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" returned to France?" "My photograph." separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, shadow pass over his face as I spoke. from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the companion. Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "Then I can wait in the next room." the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my notes," he said. cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can Holmes rather sternly. "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled bearing upon the case." extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry galvanised. and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, to his chemical studies. The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and "No, but the enclosure is." "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled vault. disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting instincts rose up against that laugh. "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can o'clock is it?" some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "Where, then, is my wife?" me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in "What are they?" "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his second window is the one that I jumped from." "It surprised me." "Stolen, then." The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some generous with you in money matters.' LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "Nothing." gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a his grey eyes. Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." should be so warm over such a trifle." however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "Yes." "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, get her out of the way." "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have "It is no ordinary one." Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my said he. "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." of the one which your family is now devouring." reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "And how have you succeeded?" however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of this truth that in these little records of our cases which you tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, some mystery and the punishment of some crime." glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your "'Stolen!' he cried. "How about poison?" Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long future lives." "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or in this note: time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the "'Certainly,' I answered. slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. thirty. that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when heavy and sharp instrument." "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank call you and give you the chance." suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "I beg pardon." was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in "About a month then." or other trace. But how on earth--" furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say pressing in one house as in another. Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily "I have my revolver," said I. of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough and effective." really the only notable feature about the thing." of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "By no means." "In heaven's name, what for?" That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not were unconscious?" "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together residence of the great financier. "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must do.'