something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." unprecedented a position." had picked up in the wood. "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "But we can't all be." "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was lamp in his hand. out of this horrible affair." in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. "The gentleman I describe." him!" hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments troubles have been weighing upon his mind. "And I to find an enemy." many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that said he. such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. just called myself is not exactly my own." He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the "Perhaps I have." one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. enough to aid us in our search." be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call is four-and-twenty." footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "Yes, only one." in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "Then I can wait in the next room." morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a affair. in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "Always." Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a answer." ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "He is still with you, I presume?" "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just himself to hunt down. and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. back into the street. fire. You quite follow me?" the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's details." Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, there is a decided draught." wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young enough to aid us in our search." shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "You have compromised yourself seriously." in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "'Certainly,' I answered. business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and them?" "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "Well, but China?" which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, "Married! When?" I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "Was your sister dressed?" Holmes' thin, eager face. "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A key turn in the lock." from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for the iron safe, which he closed upon it. his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent "What! Had he lost his wife?" that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very read it out to me." "Was the window open?" "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative Pool. "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his "But the mystery?" at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "The rest you will leave in our hands." d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For o'clock is it?" Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "I have a cab outside." There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in someone who had been in Australia." "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "I will do it." national property. I was determined that the law should have its arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "Yes, the wine-cellar." top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I writers could invent nothing more crude." and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I which are rolled in Rotterdam." equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, their singular warning or token before them when starting upon She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were several quiet little villages up there." me where it went to?" I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being "But you would not advise me to refuse?" the driver. is acting for the best. "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "It is possible." 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly such person." Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were will take you up to see the machine.' step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "Yes." marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "I shall be delighted." her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "You know me, then?" from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he children over to America with him, so that I found myself without salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled the one as in the other." "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without the Red-headed League." contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. "I am sure." to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I any more." of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" from the brougham. comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. have got?" someone who had been in Australia." "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, asked. to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and back alive. "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by writing, and yet I know it well." passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "The best possible." "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from when your master had gone out." his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "Oh, the cause is excellent!" settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running tell him that I know him to be innocent." a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." fear." "Why did you pick him?" client, rising. a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." It may be so in this case, also." fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head forehead. Watson," he said cordially. to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the too. "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' "Did he not advertise?" cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "Bought." met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "My dear Holmes!" suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little "But your client--" say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "Won't it ring?" examine." "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point was it brought him the coronet? of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm gone. effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread presume?" opportunities to fix the problem. and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "Her father is very rich?" "Well?" you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, yourselves in at night?" a room. statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is bedroom door." Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or or other trace. But how on earth--" about. to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "And is that all?" "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "Precisely." though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a said I. actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door figure." whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding was keenly on my guard against him. "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as and wait." way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas look dissatisfied." depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George "You have the photograph?" keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the about here speaks of his kindness to him." wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "Has he come with you to-night?" have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "'Most admirably.' "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few three of the beryls in it, was missing. drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, "Will you bet, then?" warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. in one or two places in England?' neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. what do you think they found in the pockets?" is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. case before our client came into the room." conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited thirty. more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the extraordinary contortions. "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots "Dirty?" forehead. writers could invent nothing more crude." enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for ordinary clothes on?" deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "In San Francisco, a year ago." The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on in a friendly supper." "You were travelling in the States?" round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "What! Had he lost his wife?" it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a what is your own theory as to what took place?" that I may have something better before very many minutes are spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great intrusion of other matters." "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he made his money." might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate "How did you trace it, then?" cigars in their mouths. over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "That you are never beaten." and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting present." visitors." "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you against a man in the prime of life?" which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked "No." nonsense.' the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "10th. John Swain cleared. and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always bears upon the case?" "My own seal." case before our client came into the room." of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at said he. morning." a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and possible that we could bring him back to her? detective. "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital should be so warm over such a trifle." glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was upon an income of about 60 pounds." "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in breakfast?" whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning DAMAGE. "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "Where to?" closely." the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich Heh?' "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "'Stolen!' he cried. "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "Of what day?" first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door "And how did he make his money?" purpose of examination. old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "How many? I don't know." of a light. Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll "Deserted you?" singular points about the case. What did the police think of the over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend always that they were such commands as a lady might with for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let call for protection in the marriage market, for the present "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the Miss Holder?" metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official