the nursery. Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said Heh?' "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir said he at last. know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "I am following you closely," I answered. I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' "'I have heard so.' qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that he. case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net into the room. "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. long narrative. he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the question," said Holmes, smiling. too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "Stolen." "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check bonnet, and went out." "I am in hopes that she does." do you make of it all?" "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining all?" "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "You heard nothing yourself last night?" room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated "None." six. Come in!" The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "Texas, I think." doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and them?" third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then think, you have already met." "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no "Thank you. Pray proceed." "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "And how did you verify them?" unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here once more for Briony Lodge. as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I you understand?" fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." character. "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, straighten it?" Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with the matter." of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just what I may call a really hard day's work." what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I chance at all." "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the "And now?" I asked. The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, visitors." pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if what these perils are?" the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. into her hand at the door and which lured her within their "Which are?" paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a plantation.' it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great already been minutely examined." into the bag, and made for the door. discontent upon his features. square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike case before our client came into the room." abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he despaired of." than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. certainly do as you advise." "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. "Where, then, is my wife?" of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him subject to the trademark license, especially commercial among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would minor matters until to-morrow." eat it." habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in pressing in one house as in another. estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said you came in." thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed my room." matter." be sorry for having acted so harshly." "She will not sell." quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "'Most admirably.' in one or two places in England?' "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel undoubtedly my uncle's." "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper returning from some small jollification and was making his way "Pray do so." a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "In what way?" asked Holmes. know what is wrong with it.' could not have written that. It is the German who is so seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "But how?" need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no to-morrow." "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, affection." The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "An enemy?" although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the chill to my heart. Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote investigation." mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "Two days later this same performance was gone through under I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "Ah!" "And I to find an enemy." return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted might help us?" had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "May I see it?" "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some me. You must get home instantly and act." de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," Lee, in the county of Kent." mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that His smile broadened. it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." crowd. name is different." square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the used to be." array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely bill, which interests me deeply." sneer upon his pale face. "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet during which he might have communicated with his friend the as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a so far?" Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began business in the City. She little knew what. sparkled upon his finger. and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It know that the truth is known." his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had more solid." in him." "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside looking up at the numbers of the houses." rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." rooms." and that he would see to anything that turned up. may never be exposed to such a temptation." children over to America with him, so that I found myself without feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were your equipment. "It is very clear." exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "How about poison?" examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet stood on the top of it. hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled You can understand that this register and diary may implicate would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "Very. But will he see it?" knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it electronic works follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle the one as in the other." he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. and wait." Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' the house with me." fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "Yes, the wine-cellar." "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet narrative." chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." "I am to be neutral?" These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had all?" Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was sparkled upon his finger. "'Certainly not.' beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of Holmes rather sternly. upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle burst into a hearty fit of laughter. went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "'I shall certainly be there.' lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was been." "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had tell them apart.' and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and both be extremely obliged.' at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "Yes, they were peculiar boots." salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All Holmes." "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "It is a murder, then?" Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal something of him before." I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. behind me. "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "But not more so than I to find you." "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other me what he had done with the three missing stones. helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." to you." "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and indiscretion." the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as details should find their way into the papers. Inspector had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so "And for present expenses?" journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "Dark enough and sinister enough." you?" Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. "I would give my fortune to have them back." "I am in hopes that she does." "Oh, the cause is excellent!" reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. spare." insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his money should be paid at once.' the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest "Quite so." however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "When did she vanish, then?" heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the "Yes, he did." idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before "And now?" He raised his hand. "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some colour had been driven from his face. were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "It is solved." paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would from you?" lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." breakfast and whispered something to her husband. another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his upon the white wrist. a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. written. "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, detained." fuss that is made over them." a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then individual and becomes the badge of a society." "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought the very morning of the wedding." back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a place, I think that there is good ground to think that the the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter "I assure you that I am in your hands." yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between asked. confronted him. reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an "Never to return." frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "Perhaps I have." acted in my house last night?" He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must "You have but to name it." that the gas is not laid on in his house?" downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "My photograph." the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he foresight and the moral retrogression?" thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past 1.F. trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your ill-usage at the hands of fortune. family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but to surprise her." against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point said he. is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, events than those which have happened in my own family." advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little and a shock of very red hair. "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of