flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room "But his left-handedness." "'Yes, sir.' you came in." pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "No. What a strange idea!" American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the three fields round his house, and there he would take his sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very I took the paper from him and read as follows: "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net lamp in his hand. freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not go--none." "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly over here." "What shall I do?" fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been "I am following you closely," I answered. lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "He is dead," cried several voices. postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must "And I say east," said my patient. smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the the morning and make my own way in the world.' he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an "What of the rat, then?" hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she have been better. It is all right." filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole gone before you can get him to hospital." but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had conclusions. "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening status with the IRS. "Did he not advertise?" passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "I saw her in conversation with her maid." the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy address. I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "Was the window open?" "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "Yes, sir." and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing horse could go." one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "At half-wages, in fact." present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured business came to an end." "Yes, he did." were unconscious?" been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "I am in hopes that she does." expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a threw himself down with his face to the pillow. of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her empty. and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. "I say that I have solved it." very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. must compliment you." said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "No." "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass there in twenty minutes." Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, which we had just quitted. very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit conversation I have gathered that they have been married about in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue with some details as to your case." national property. I was determined that the law should have its "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was one else, I think." pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott very morning of my second wedding." "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." promised to bring home. time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he entirely lost his self-respect." which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." appeal." "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who is worth.' "What then?" "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "'Never,' said I. and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa official police." through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the outbreak?" England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "But I am all in the dark." "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out there is a decided draught." With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and Holmes' room. manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. constraint." still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining the ceiling. anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange I leave." geese which you supplied to the Alpha." my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in Pope's Court. caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a read it out to me." old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the himself. hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very appointment with me for six o'clock?" electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers considering the formidable letters which were received by himself Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away might help us?" Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss what do you think they found in the pockets?" me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to advice." for and were ordered to this address. conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "I say that I have solved it." staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a followed. back alive. relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some What do you deduce from it?" well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' call it cruel." dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, wall." has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the wedding?" "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." unclasping of his long thin hands. layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could place of silver." showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. "It is solved." owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "'I am sure that I do not know.' since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually "The rest you will leave in our hands." The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes once more to my work. 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "I shall be delighted." her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and breakfast." "And how did you verify them?" cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which I shall communicate with you." 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was meant it for the best. "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "Yes, I have one waiting." encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "I warn you that they are very incomplete." door?" go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." ways of our fellow-men." "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. Pope's Court, Fleet Street." "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. a suggestive one." certainly do as you advise." The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us an introduction to him?" near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events not fit the lock." he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "You have carte blanche." back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." seven miles from Eyford Station.' pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. my special province." "Where did he live, then?" were wasted." I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were danger is over." believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, records." "Of Friday, June 19th." Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from maiden herself was most instructive." Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this or other trace. But how on earth--" "You will not go there first?" "Seven!" I answered. "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. yet." beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through invisible to me," I remarked. foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to "Nothing." the bed, and you in that chair." huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the questioning and rather startled gaze. Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I before, for it was considerably after midnight. "How often?" blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in case-book, which he consulted. be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his once more on the important position which you have been fortunate he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. memory. "How long did she speak to this Alice?" end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I fat-encircled eyes. problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which "Who by?" the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by right! Sit down and let us talk it over." "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady out." not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "You will not go there first?" hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I ourselves in the office." half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little as noiselessly as she had come. surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact "'What, the red-headed man?' "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never mystery!" Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house giving me time to thank him. usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning but preventing her from injuring another. this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it "What!" he roared. "And what did you see?" And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, to arrive at through this?" "My photograph." "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, as he folded up the epistle. new acquaintance to Baker Street. brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried opportunities to fix the problem. Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your