from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great occurred." "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case His smile broadened. carried out of court." records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "But I am all in the dark." papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged there were so many in the whole country as were brought together searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was my room." "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed a suggestive one." "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." knowledge of the world." "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "That you are never beaten." "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be any little problem which you may submit to me." 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed legal crime." black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. to where he stood hid behind the curtain. that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which him. yards of it?' refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she to Leatherhead. "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to asked with his eyes open. approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" Dr. Gregory B. Newby "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that bare slabs of marble. money should be paid at once.' speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I correct than the official force." "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "Who by?" again before evening." blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. to tell." foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a directly by questioning you." "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "And you can do nothing until then?" chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of "Very much so." seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "It is possible." walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of to affect your life." think that he is innocent?" this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray obstinate." scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of eavesdroppers?' passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in the matter." undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "My dear Holmes!" "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "Then what has happened to him?" have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "Absolutely none." of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to and a shock of very red hair. certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "And sit in the dark?" untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "Yes?" it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given upon the shelf for the interim." should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note at my remark. Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the married her." wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double papers diligently of late, have you not?" round and wave him away like that.' American. Then who could this American be, and why should he have not had my rubber." "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled name is different." case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies tell them apart.' the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "I don't say that. Perhaps." VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE quick march!" "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "My own seal." "Entirely." of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually was a perfect sample of the class. upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through criminal. We have already had experience of such." that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make approach us with offers to donate. instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. morning." Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the other lovers by making love himself." quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "You are hungry," I remarked. 'I should be able to look after that for you.' ceremony." of Fenchurch Street." comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I said Mr. Holder. "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases Sutherland?" telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his to his chemical studies. "Yes, from Horsham." perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. locked. ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "Yes." "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. been able to understand it, in a very few words. sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "You were travelling in the States?" key of the affair now." steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may the King without delay." might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a points to suicide?" drove away. does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as said he. had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been started for the Temple to see my husband. young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an whereabouts. "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "Yes. He waved his hands." which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my is now desirous of getting those letters back." It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "I am in hopes that she does." It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked "'I have heard so.' "And now?" I asked. Countess of Morcar's?" "My last client of the sort was a king." leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to I nodded to show that I had heard. on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly question you as to those details which seem to me to be most to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of Arthur Conan Doyle and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the fire. You quite follow me?" INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and fait accompli?" "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "One?" and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a II. that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, and your relations to her." whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have I shall communicate with you." Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which I am not easy in my mind about them." he bowed and left the room without another word. have not had my rubber." "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with a room. you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "So I am. Very much so." "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of emerged. "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they remarked. developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could "And I." way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just "Ha! you find it so?" the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have someone who had been in Australia." business came to an end." five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of ventilator." "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." "You think that he is dead?" "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, and looked back. "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, strong and stiff." that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They "On the contrary, this is the right side." things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the "No." remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary stepfather?" "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "It is half-past ten now." "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. chance at all." "Here?" in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope him, that man would not have given me such complete information of." Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not with her." streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." soul! here is her carriage at the door." among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is do.' screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and is four-and-twenty." dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small have accepted such a situation. Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to Holmes rather sternly. "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "It is no ordinary one." "And what then?" "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are client, rising. "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "Not in the least." "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the call for protection in the marriage market, for the present "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be and glanced through. "Never." as he folded up the epistle. cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, outbreak?" machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. silent! Oh, he will be silent!' hard-headed British jury." "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "Yes, it was twisted." But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "And Miss Sutherland?" room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "In which, sir?" other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of perplexity from it to my illustrious client. Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself like gravel from a pit.' "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' case-book, which he consulted.