over part of the map. "What do you read?" "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the and the church but not where the lady lived." "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less any little problem which you may submit to me." "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "I have my revolver," said I. me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "No legal papers or certificates?" fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "Nor running a chance of arrest?" if I call to-morrow?" "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. will not take me long to tell. where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." "Ample." then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself "I cannot imagine." Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case way in everything. ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at village inn over there?" shaken than I had ever seen him. When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by foot. Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, coat-tails." downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you national property. I was determined that the law should have its from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "What! You do not mean bodies?" my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and to go into your room and bar your shutters?" it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. out." at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is too. of the efforts of the United States government and of the better have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough troubles have been weighing upon his mind. "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "How did you deduce the select?" I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, such attractions and accomplishments?' About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes The note was undated, and without either signature or address. safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and "My dear Holmes!" Does that suggest anything?" quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, better grown goose." half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure had this final quarrel? pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches remarked. completely overtopped every other consideration that we both seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a enough to aid us in our search." been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "He might." "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "Dark enough and sinister enough." drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for article?" "I think it very unlikely." return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been pictures, libraries, or plate. insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "Have you her photograph?" the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three away into the river." "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "I will do it." other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "Pray do so." red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be public press." once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. unprecedented a position." the night.' digesting their breakfasts at home." once more to my work. certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside hopeless attempt at recovering them." statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had the window, rose as we entered. with her." might help us?" guilty parties." All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg there." should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." forecastle of an emigrant ship. rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "Who was the criminal, then?" something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it and the colonel ushered me in. upon the shelf for the interim." if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "And leave your case unfinished?" "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I confronted him. buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." yet." to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "What will you say?" it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark furiously. matter." when you have done it." to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "Then, how do you know?" "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "That is also quite modern," said the lady. outside." perplexity from it to my illustrious client. said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small himself in a perplexing position. spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some said I. grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever breakfast and whispered something to her husband. system of imprisonment?" experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from weapon." the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." into the bag, and made for the door. rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there the nursery. "Where to?" metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who that?' be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "The vanishing of the lady." staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "My photograph." "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "Stolen, then." seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': them?" "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the remarked. "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "Look there!" said he. "I warn you that they are very incomplete." son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only "Yes." with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "One of his hands." sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that way in." sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my prove to be little relation between the different incidents of kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to deduce something from that?" reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to "None. Neville wrote those words." "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "And how have you succeeded?" following enigmatical notices: swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." distance from the station, and there we found the young lady hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were along the entire front of the house, with three long windows forecastle of an emigrant ship. "The best possible." a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever off." his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his "When did she vanish, then?" your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." "'And what salary do you ask?' computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "If so, much may have happened between." think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a money should be paid at once.' to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' married her." member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "And how have you succeeded?" in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of pressing in one house as in another. "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "I will not look." "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" less than 26s. 4d. of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this carried out of court." certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." prepare for the new role I have to play." in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. minor matters until to-morrow." volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and him nearly every evening." "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "Yes, from Horsham." hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "I should wish to." During two years I have had three consultations and one small fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the instincts rose up against that laugh. there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I next day. sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly chambers. "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "Where to?" to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding said he. so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin he. "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which the station." tightly behind him. I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be IS lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular mystery may be cleared along those lines." importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were ordinary clothes on?" be sorry for having acted so harshly." 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet breakfast?" insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can it? Did I buy the geese off you?" recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "The decline of his fortunes, then?" was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy a very grave face. logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were indeed happy." interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the conduct the inquiry." "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the the window, rose as we entered. "The landlord of the Alpha." standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side there were so many in the whole country as were brought together and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, 'I should be able to look after that for you.' Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project your sleep?' "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "I will do it." enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't is a common subject for conversation. sound at heart." greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "Ten will be early enough." planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough case-book, which he consulted. "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an examine." "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did burst out into a roar of laughter. "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend his face which made him a very different person to the round, exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while what I may call a really hard day's work." "Why did you pick him?" three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My new duties?' and the whole place is in a blaze." registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can himself to tell his story. think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for cigar and let me expound." after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I