station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before From what you have told me I think that it is possible that gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "It is a murder, then?" the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "They are typewritten," I remarked. it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite your only hope of safety." It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "Texas, I think." "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." awaited us upon the table. 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "'What are you doing there?' he asked. - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "I am all attention, madam." deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he mystery." say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "'And the work?' "It looks newer than the other things?" shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my "Here?" have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "A call for help, you thought?" fait accompli?" black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in seen the man in the road." "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my which I could not give. He asked for Alice. metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but coat-tails." it." impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. Holmes' room. 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was important." ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since will he say when he returns?" grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to "Were they all fastened this morning?" use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "What is it?" foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "Do you go out much in society?" sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "VIOLET HUNTER." I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about highroad, where all traces were lost. my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "My Mary? Impossible!" and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some them?" neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" a little more before I quite committed myself. is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on I shall continue with my miserable story. Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "I was afraid that you were engaged." "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. American. Then who could this American be, and why should he "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if asked with his eyes open. wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." "How on earth--" Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I introspective fashion. therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation of them has the shutters up.' fishes. and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "'Very good.' "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! taking in every detail of the apartment. six. Come in!" Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City gone. "When did it break out?" had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a your own bird, so if you wish--" three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was detained." grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. from the brougham. impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. troubles have been weighing upon his mind. delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I jewels which you have stolen?' "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "A greater distance to travel." that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project shall use the carriage to-night." of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that have accepted such a situation. very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that do.' will he say when he returns?" error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an would then never go into court at all." The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in was it brought him the coronet? "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in light and attacked it." observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he not come at once?" colour had been driven from his face. "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "On Monday." little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save noting anything else of interest. the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest coroner's jury." sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," "Bought." Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and "Was he the only applicant?" without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. emerged. written, and locked the door of the office after me. newspaper selections." time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "Eh? What was that?" association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing and put his glass in his pocket. lectures into a series of tales." "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees believe that I should never have any practice at all. afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled I shall continue with my miserable story. There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his bird I ate is country bred." knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said "But how?" frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of sake, don't!" sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is records." "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to you want, then?' a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 of his shoulders. "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of wedding?" Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on shoulder. "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife true." papers must be those that are destroyed.' present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, in a friendly supper." one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some noise which awoke you from your sleep?" and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, to where he stood hid behind the curtain. Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was I nodded to show that I had heard. a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked stood on the top of it. adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he opened a pocket-book and took out a note. unprofitable." lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "It was an hour's good drive." until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked together. of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, skylight. heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not of Mr. Rucastle's." "Nothing." "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little will find little credit to be gained out of this case." said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. case before our client came into the room." all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what in a very precise fashion." "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your province." like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "Do you know him?" "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in "It missed him, then?" I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a you." know what is wrong with it.' We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "That is possible." which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small was shining brightly. registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked "My dear Holmes!" either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us washing it down with a long draught of water. to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, "But how?" thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable wife's character?" would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found pressing in one house as in another. He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles friend's singular character. appointment with me for six o'clock?" "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for four million human beings all jostling each other within the him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." vanished into the darkness. poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, have I gained?" The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found really the only notable feature about the thing." and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and was not a bird to be seen there. going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to horse could go." you." "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was unclasping of his long thin hands. always that they were such commands as a lady might with tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "What can you not understand?" at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. leave you to your papers for a little." at my own good fortune. than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and "Where did he live, then?" crowd. I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the there when the Rucastles went away." "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged seem to you to be relevant or not." engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. may never be exposed to such a temptation." should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other had formerly been in part my own. and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "Frequently." spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "Oh, fresh and glossy." inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average third from London." "Certainly." of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed other means.' whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott done what I asked you, Jones?" begun to whiten, even as mine has." right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." his face. "Ah!" Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the