"This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "Will you bet, then?" row." "Yes, but only for you and me." "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "I have my revolver," said I. points to suicide?" "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," "It is a murder, then?" "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and "I should wish to." "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project mystery may be cleared along those lines." copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his what these perils are?" her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten I was concerned in it." against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "'Certainly not. But why?' pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if families. Now for the facts. "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his him to go away.' soul! here is her carriage at the door." dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and "He is dead," cried several voices. "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I your only hope of safety." "But she will refuse." "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" breakfast." drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which begin with, and I had not got mine yet." Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "The decline of his fortunes, then?" I have it here in my museum." "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as James Windibank. Voilà tout!" sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a written, and locked the door of the office after me. suspect him." has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was already been minutely examined." of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat to some other building. as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." it. was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money never came back." "'I have already given you my word.' "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. of the way of danger. fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. throat." "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem wall." seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining them?" is a common subject for conversation. on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and "Pray tell us what has happened to you." used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. "I never have." "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "Not in a good cause." has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that me. You must get home instantly and act." "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress window when the police appeared." "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "You are hungry," I remarked. "But you would not advise me to refuse?" "But you were on a friendly footing?" and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite away in different directions, and I went off to make my own place no limit on the sum I may draw." hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the "On the contrary, this is the right side." mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "Why? What do you mean?" overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to ill-usage at the hands of fortune. is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. is now desirous of getting those letters back." sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any voice, changing her seat as requested. Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. society." to go into your room and bar your shutters?" repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "A greater distance to travel." just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked "None." "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at minor matters until to-morrow." passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "Ten will be early enough." "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "A confidential servant?" "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "You were travelling in the States?" though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism the armchair which I pushed forward for him. laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley discontent upon his features. "Dr. Becher's." since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the skylight. down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, train from Paddington which would bring you there at about my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the point in the dark hollow of his hand. "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." I shall continue with my miserable story. thirty. and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which interest. They are important, you understand, without being mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever towards the blaze. "I am all attention, madam." thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without Farm upon the left." prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I said Mr. Holder. dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea particular state visit http://pglaf.org the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "Just look it up, then." point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, Street. coat-tails." light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "No." was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, down. usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to was feeling which was the fattest.' very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the "You will not go there first?" through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just grasp, he hurried from the room. position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to in a very precise fashion." where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social "Tired-looking or fresh?" "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "Yes, I have one waiting." The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good "You have carte blanche." "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." upon the sideboard." about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" something of him before." "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire "Was she in good spirits?" touch that coronet?' do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the to-morrow." "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind ways of our fellow-men." "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm your billet.' "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "But your client--" greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small fatally injured? about here speaks of his kindness to him." request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "Very well, sir. And this stone?" my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous "Entirely." All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from distinguish the words: spare." Countess of Morcar's?" Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "Quite so. She has her freedom." madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind "And from a noble client?" not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them I held the little printed slip to the light. course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all "Seven!" I answered. him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "'Is purely nominal.' creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "None. Neville wrote those words." "Entirely." permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, strength of mind to control. fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found "This photograph!" weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. is," said he presently: to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias secret." "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. speckled band?" and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great The events in question occurred in the early days of my o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous business." Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "It missed him, then?" Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but me. for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps problems help me to do so." criminal. We have already had experience of such." said I. have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "Yesterday." step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, "I don't say that. Perhaps." "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This without a word or a look. "9th. McCauley cleared. have been better. It is all right." "On your arm?" stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was "I cannot say that I have." where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "Perhaps we may make them less so." "Did he not advertise?" stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk to change my dress. head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "Breckinridge is his name." before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project "'Why that?' I asks. as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "'How far from the body?' really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which important." 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin IS in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' populous neighbourhood." said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to shaken than I had ever seen him. the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "'Certainly,' I answered. the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, the Friday. Was it to be in church?" impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I standing smiling on the door-step. bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the occurred." conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "To an English lawyer named Norton." marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us entirely lost his self-respect." hand, madam?" Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there you do it in twenty minutes!' hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the posted to-day." colour had been driven from his face. wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble