lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things bell. Holmes whistled. dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "I will not look." step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never "Yes, sir." Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land formed some opinion?" "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet there were one or two details which were new to me. But the a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "That was it, sir." her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "It is to him that this trophy belongs." man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he undoubtedly my uncle's." "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face taking in every detail of the apartment. single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible shadow pass over his face as I spoke. upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a Leave Paddington by the 11:15." not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. the general public were present, then?" threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not His name is Francis Prosper." Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of I. "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite useful material for showing traces. The double line a little to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his ordinary clothes on?" or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which second window is the one that I jumped from." "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "Nor running a chance of arrest?" unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the once more for Briony Lodge. "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "What shall I do?" "Yes." as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our American. Then who could this American be, and why should he "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. "That is unusual in a young girl." and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that hurried away. "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I "How on earth--" "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "Where is it, then?" have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case be best to do. have I gained?" the very morning of the wedding." "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a Lee, in the county of Kent." fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. newspaper selections." so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A Mary, has deserted me." you for a few hours?" compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a "And your mother is alive?" have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition villagers almost as much as their master. "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said exactly what you advise." "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are laugh and put his lips to my ear. job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "No legal papers or certificates?" a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the should be so warm over such a trifle." "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a matter over." "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a formed some opinion?" cup of tea. street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I on re-entering her father's house?" sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do little adventures." Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these particular state visit http://pglaf.org do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, over part of the map. "What do you read?" Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "I will do it." 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "It certainly sounds feasible." "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local McCarthy." We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of unkempt, staring out at me. "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to mystery." "Of what day?" make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our key turn in the lock." "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than just ask you whether you had heard it.' constraint." knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say my former friend and companion. my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "And how in the world did you find them?" it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great Edgeware Road. "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "You think that he is dead?" screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. indeed which he could not unravel. enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that colour had been driven from his face. during that time.' at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner "Precisely so. But how--" agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem charged with?" the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence matters immensely." which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "I never have." engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "Quite so. She has her freedom." "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it "Very. But will he see it?" gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." your own bird, so if you wish--" Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from everything which you would wish to know." again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her more terrible than the truth. "Well?" January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my had died away into the silence from which it rose. than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes discontent upon his features. behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "Dark enough and sinister enough." man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. father's place of business?" "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt extraordinary contortions. window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" ill-usage at the hands of fortune. thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "It goes to the housekeeper's room." brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows "Not in a good cause." make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, guilty parties." if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over awaited us upon the table. "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "But you were on a friendly footing?" "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came London for the present?" Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "None." and inquire as to the address." be. hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence reach." "I am in hopes that she does." perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not behind me. studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a side. sneer upon his pale face. the matter." which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "A thing like a cleaver," said he. be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net "Witness: I must still refuse. Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the as yours." "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. seven miles from Eyford Station.' XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an system of imprisonment?" a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father done what I asked you, Jones?" comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" breakfast." before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with away into the river." Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, away into the river." vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "Yes." awaited us upon the table. upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "9th. McCauley cleared. "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. hand, madam?" "This concluded the examination of the witness." and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would It was close upon four before the door opened, and a indiscretion." Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very ago." so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and matter over." We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow read it out to me." fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "So it appears." "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might the window, rose as we entered. "But you would not advise me to refuse?" convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of one else, I think." "'And the work?' "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have sound at heart." photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together six. Come in!" the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be that he will be back before evening." a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in murdered man." page at http://pglaf.org "Won't it ring?" "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. but preventing her from injuring another. touch that coronet?' are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: morning." three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have have established a very serious case against the son of the complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "That is it on the dressing-table." "Yes, from Horsham." as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with next day. enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time had a long day." If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." "'Yes.' bell. Holmes whistled. bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured throat." had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "'What would be the hours?' I asked. arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of seven miles from Eyford Station.' Sholtos." purpose equally well?" I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to "Of what?" "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to "My dear Holmes!" of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "Eh? What was that?" than was visible to me." I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. train.' Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then floor. my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one always that they were such commands as a lady might with double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "We were both in the photograph." "Then I shall certainly come." if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your populous neighbourhood." Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to