"I should wish to." Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of "'Yes.' "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front gbnewby@pglaf.org of a light. success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left a very grave face. "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. "Were they all fastened this morning?" strength in the others." gentleman's clothes. leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into "Were they all fastened this morning?" "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "I say that I have solved it." hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the Does that suggest anything?" happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to you, my dear young lady?' greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which whereabouts. the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, prison!" happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington you give your casting vote to?" "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in not use it unless it is absolutely needed." at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of if only as a check to my own memory." "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news row." passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and new duties?' wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the His name is Francis Prosper." "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "What then?" the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added tell me that you intended to go into harness." on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates better in every way that they should make their position a little a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black could not have written that. It is the German who is so wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether hard-headed British jury." "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. tied." order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. "Imitated." him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and Sutherland?" face and glided from the room. power." scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until present strange and interesting features that it is no easy analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds certainly not very gracious." "Who was the criminal, then?" back to my heart. "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. had picked up in the wood. complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine three of the beryls in it, was missing. untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now "And your mother is alive?" "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I Heh?' broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "No. What a strange idea!" III. been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms spare." only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third three fields round his house, and there he would take his located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from over here." estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, people in all walks of life. this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your go from here to the Strand." when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of in darkness. were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, brain must have something in it." have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "I think that I had better go, Holmes." carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to it." of." those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, "But she could not love him." starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "Witness: I must still refuse. I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. you?' Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I now. It seems that there had been some informality about their succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "Yes. He waved his hands." who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the door?" and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "No?" without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his one of them." facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was shall not find me ungrateful." returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's enter Dr. Roylott's room." thin legs towards the fire. of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen even of instruction." the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." future lives." miles off. They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work I. time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This "But she will refuse." I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to "Nor running a chance of arrest?" remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their events than those which have happened in my own family." and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working said I. "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle man. I know him from the photograph." own family. sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found how narrow had been my escape. you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when McCarthy's innocence. leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an "And who is her maid?" where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "I don't say that. Perhaps." unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' Edgeware Road. daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of forbidden door. there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. residence of the great financier. chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of the window, rose as we entered. have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "I saw her in conversation with her maid." "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "An accident, I presume?" be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose over his head with a sweet womanly caress. of it with the greatest attention. thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is bill, which interests me deeply." very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is fire. You quite follow me?" comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best depend upon your compliance." however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "'Ten to two.' "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' "You are all wrong." "Tired-looking or fresh?" "You have compromised yourself seriously." profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes upon an income of about 60 pounds." himself to tell his story. "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some notes," he said. process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for 'please.'" who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But results." have an American origin." As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our exactly what you advise." young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, thirty. down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to "I will do it." surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the voice, changing her seat as requested. "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off imbecility!" he cried. "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic before the coroner and the police-court." out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the "'No, I know no one in these parts.' "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, Gutenberg-tm License. preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our you came in." Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in acted in my house last night?" grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted "Her father is very rich?" "And you don't know his address?" keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are friend's singular character. considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. shall use the carriage to-night." One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. best detective that ever lived. posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst photograph a cabinet?" then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her bill, which interests me deeply." of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be it means?" "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez to that open window." I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been for the market.' "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. keep the flames under. We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a drove away. days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, such person." matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my with her." "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for plantation.' post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as American. Then who could this American be, and why should he "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to "Yes." closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few coat-tails." hurried away. education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "'No, I know no one in these parts.' remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to next day. "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his you in your example." ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin You can understand that this register and diary may implicate window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this Street. "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the meant." shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "'How far from the body?' transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his envelope. at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his have accepted such a situation. dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you once more on the important position which you have been fortunate crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow,