Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. "Awake, Watson?" he asked. a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon my room." hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "But she will refuse." I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as meant it for the best. furiously. from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a My friend smiled. heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an and prosperity to your house. Good-night." give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no instincts rose up against that laugh. "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to be.' Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "I will get her to show me." the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One the house with me." "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to obstinate." even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name off." could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when "Where did you address your letters, then?" "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." "I cannot tell." hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "No, but the enclosure is." Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a foresight and the moral retrogression?" do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive entirely devoid of interest." IS money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right conclusions. the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for "'As governess?' the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and likely to be some crony of the landlady's." "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he in. business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight side. and capable of preserving a secret.' front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in whether it answered to the description of any of their "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported 1.E.9. dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. someone who had been in Australia." a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot "Not I." rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. the so-precious time, but come!' disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary of a light. year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the see me here to avoid scandal." sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. "Was there a secret marriage?" "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. in his power. enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "And how?" passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as "What steps will you take?" I asked. you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the you, my dear young lady?' and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "'Yes, it was gone.' "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." you." desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of go back?" records." Sholtos." plantation.' For additional contact information: problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as "That was it, sir." little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the did not hear it also.' His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "No, I am descending." you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which which I could not give. He asked for Alice. rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor and wait." be. "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than and I shall be with you presently." being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, because she had spent so short a time in this country that she before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal a suggestive one." as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "Yes, from Horsham." the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them in a very precise fashion." bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step all-comprehensive glances. however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, him. "I cannot think." Pool. time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 "'I am sure that I do not know.' will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "'Entirely.' but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "I don't say that. Perhaps." "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my tell him that I know him to be innocent." depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "If so, much may have happened between." squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further It may be so in this case, also." sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "None." terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. strength in the others." "One of his hands." weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might "But it has twice been burgled." editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the "Could he throw no light?" centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which wanted for ourselves." fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "You have but to name it." It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the "'Yes, it was gone.' their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client be.' regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down awkward doing business with an alias." "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all developed." interests were the same as his." uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. tell me that you intended to go into harness." "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems his knees, staring into the fire. such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." within hail.' stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have enter Dr. Roylott's room." expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was conclusions. individual and becomes the badge of a society." Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in Holmes' room. One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant one else, I think." footfalls from the street. is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "Certainly." are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very hair?' son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured my room." brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has prison!" suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the "No, I think that I'll take it." dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "No?" strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "Witness: Nothing definite. drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw acquaintance?" man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use man. characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a forehead. "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker "'It is locked up,' I answered. his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper envelope. my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not it? Did I buy the geese off you?" years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that light and attacked it." burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving own family. will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, a suggestive one." Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as maid will bring up your coffee." act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "Why? What do you mean?" as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "Yes, sir." public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his never will be, entirely cleared up. determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which drawing your inferences." "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with "I cannot imagine." characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "Your presence might be invaluable." of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy experiences." mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. "Nothing." time." and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "Not in a good cause." long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a without success. At last the little money which I had saved began forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a fire. You quite follow me?" "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, been able to understand it, in a very few words. cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to "Why, it's a dummy," said he. something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which brain must have something in it." work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any few hundred pounds.' "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "'Yes, I promise.' Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low arms and began to sob in a high treble key. chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down "Certainly." wanted for ourselves." thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "But you can know nothing of this?" read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "'Which dealer's?' conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the had picked up in the wood. Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "Dr. Becher's." said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed astonishment. and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property beg that you will break it off." wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "Where, then, is my wife?" "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "Two days later this same performance was gone through under value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "Why did you beat the pavement?" houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, acquaintance?" "I should be immensely obliged to you." "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were "My own seal." "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged "'Ample.' "I assure you that I am in your hands." It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my It may be so in this case, also." once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and