I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to "Why? What do you mean?" Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "Your French gold?" and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out appeared upon the scene." distinguish the words: unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little congenial hunt. upon a handsome competence. as the one I chose?' case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with "Then I do not see the point." offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay maid will bring up your coffee." "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "You have it, sir, just as it happened." Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "It was an hour's good drive." reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from "Did you become engaged then?" the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss one's self under obligations.' recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we bed dies. Does not that strike you?" and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud know all about it," he snarled. "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." gbnewby@pglaf.org which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. leave you to your papers for a little." Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed maid will bring up your coffee." morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at washing it down with a long draught of water. presume?" drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours 'please.'" creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." was not a bird to be seen there. these bleak autumnal evenings." "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle as he remarks, very much against the son." hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, you?' hard-headed British jury." pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at business." difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of nothing with him." woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in "No." VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, present." the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer your troubles." "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your hour." "I promise," said Holmes. "It was a confession," I ejaculated. wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would DAMAGE. extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here means taking possession of that which another person has a prior bare slabs of marble. dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm washing it down with a long draught of water. "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "Frequently." colonel looking down at me. including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and attention." a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It nothing with him." to where he stood hid behind the curtain. entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case bearing upon the case." shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and criminal. We have already had experience of such." "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an occupations.' "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand strength." coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow http://www.gutenberg.net "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting had formerly been in part my own. "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their sneer upon his pale face. "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first way in." "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. opened the door, and slipped through. already been minutely examined." There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and hereditary King of Bohemia." "I have a cab outside." "How long did she speak to this Alice?" snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with this as likely?" other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "No, finished." writing, and yet I know it well." "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it was not a bird to be seen there. scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I mysterious end." nothing of it?" his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to kind enough to tell me what I should do." introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we companion. red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "You have it, sir, just as it happened." straightened it out again. in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "Witness: I must still refuse. building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole that before taking the final step I should like to submit the and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge fatally injured? direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "On Monday." of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. works. See paragraph 1.E below. As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had threw himself down with his face to the pillow. reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this the house with me." about here speaks of his kindness to him." little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "10th. John Swain cleared. He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what "No more words. Get out!" not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" your Highness to the police-station?" impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are presented which may be striking and bizarre without being lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there digesting their breakfasts at home." appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general villagers almost as much as their master. which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to geese which you supplied to the Alpha." to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which "My dear Holmes!" manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long "It is his hat." "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "It was a confession," I ejaculated. the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded national property. I was determined that the law should have its "You are hungry," I remarked. so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of "'Stolen!' he cried. seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a what is your own theory as to what took place?" facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears my former friend and companion. finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "He disappeared so suddenly." something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little suggested at once that there must be a communication between the been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "Look there!" said he. after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement and wait." shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective him and tried to hold him back. "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "What then?" that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and or other trace. But how on earth--" whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is must compliment you." Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed train from Paddington which would bring you there at about upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in think that he is innocent?" forebodings. The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a point our research must commence, and we will begin it by Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself populous neighbourhood." Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my "It is possible." "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs depend upon my doing so.' Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at "It was an hour's good drive." "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was "ARAT," I read. "Where is it, then?" for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that morning." doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the narrative." pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a "What, then, did Peterson do?" Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face without a word or a look. the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. arrangements." you give your casting vote to?" "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "No." afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever arrested. You then--" need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down your own bird, so if you wish--" inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "None." "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "I cannot imagine." points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "Yes, but only for you and me." not, dad?" she asked. points to suicide?" light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have about. you." contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "He is dead," cried several voices. "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "To the police?" outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk fishes. sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I your billet.' The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from to surprise her." settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate "Come in!" said Holmes. him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest "No. His orders were to stay in the house." with the outside air!" time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the back to my heart. when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their recover the gem." of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" room. the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "I am to be neutral?" There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during and your relations to her." "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you foot. where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and paper in the air. "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop "I cannot tell." lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the