"I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we results." "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "'Is purely nominal.' night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "'What would be the hours?' I asked. and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "Pray do so." held up the lantern and gazed about him. claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. enter Dr. Roylott's room." here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "She walked into the breakfast-room." "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle him!" squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving "I have solved it." "I came to find a friend." suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that crowd. "I was certainly surprised to find you there." remarked. "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., have had none more fantastic than this." acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. "What then?" How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when seem to you to be relevant or not." reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted which are rolled in Rotterdam." Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is her also." "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to together. "Pray be precise as to details," said he. however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "And I to find an enemy." "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. "But how will you look?" "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a the nursery. have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let the matter?" money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "No, distinctly professional." "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "Quite so." delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There his wife has ceased to love him." he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the said he. there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." have had none more fantastic than this." "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I Lestrade of Scotland Yard." bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the writer." justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at my little problems." done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. seem to you to be relevant or not." told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done him, that man would not have given me such complete information was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to nonsense.' Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with over his head with a sweet womanly caress. When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want place of silver." pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "How did you deduce the select?" of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts me. will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own "And how have you succeeded?" Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" good for you to do.' I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "Yes, all." me." whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. this unhappy family?" half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain house for five minutes.' you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, the matter?" "None." reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "No, I had a dozen." "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to face and glided from the room. weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is tail." walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, Watson," he said cordially. "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is detained." seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. into the bag, and made for the door. "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she front of the hall door has given its name to the place. A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a hard-headed British jury." where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I Surrey." "What can it mean?" I gasped. me. noise which awoke you from your sleep?" I am not easy in my mind about them." had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn you in your example." us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which anything to do with the matter?" "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "BALLARAT." Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "What then?" robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will enter into my head. there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary taking in every detail of the apartment. him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I awaited us upon the table. stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it "Yes." "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence this as likely?" 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, asked. gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you certainly not very gracious." "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have jewels which you have stolen?' to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is have not had my rubber." place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at will he say when he returns?" "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near interest. They are important, you understand, without being "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has little trying to do so much typewriting?" confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be could not have written that. It is the German who is so had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "How often?" makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you me. have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "You will not go there first?" wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "By train from Waterloo." shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. man. "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "He disappeared so suddenly." and files of the old papers, following the future career of every had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and read over the extraordinary announcement. elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the dead, shall be safe with us." considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "It is half-past ten now." which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." the loss of it. yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black in your London, you will know that the office of the company is girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, outside." my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at "How did you deduce the select?" his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not any little problem which you may submit to me." When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" fluttered off among the others. cause to be." "Your presence might be invaluable." into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at have established a very serious case against the son of the gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, "I came to find a friend." vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. any." so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid married her." felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it writer." machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in arms and began to sob in a high treble key. five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get soul! here is her carriage at the door." ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of and looked back. were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last thin, with a long, sharp nose?" table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "My photograph." follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate a good hundred miles off by now." Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington "Whose house is it?" unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "I promise," said Holmes. could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in think that any burglar could have done. ill-usage at the hands of fortune. VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can and it need not interfere very much with one's other "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity useful material for showing traces. The double line a little A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it peculiar to him. this truth that in these little records of our cases which you chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's voice, changing her seat as requested. introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "No bad?" betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, go--none." I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the I shall continue with my miserable story. the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. place of silver." Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself have an American origin." Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "It surprised me." such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen me, and I could not think that his explanation of the in him." resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the seven miles from Eyford Station.' belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been noble correspondent could be. wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had away to you." peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "That's no good." satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which "Well?" fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered respectable self." Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the down from London to inquire more deeply into it." have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events shoulder. to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel "'I have already given you my word.' Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague one's self under obligations.' "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "But what will you do?" in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: the loss of it. other means.' nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "You have carte blanche." cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal investigation." volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my bare slabs of marble. presented which may be striking and bizarre without being my secret was safe in his possession. "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do the little opening for the ventilator is." stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "Not in the least." "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had "What?" out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "Bought." it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which out of this horrible affair." And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." the Assizes." finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn "Yes, all." "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards really the only notable feature about the thing." The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle Stoke Moran." with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs to-night's adventure." have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who see a sister of mine apply for." Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "Then I shall certainly come." arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "Indeed! Whose, then?" half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with fat-encircled eyes. fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, "Then the page we have seen--" the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the see a sister of mine apply for." He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of