for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." Miss Holder?" very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "Did he not advertise?" the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "Did you observe the colour?" "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "Where did he live, then?" twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. so.' my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. there was no need for father to know." rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day sit on the left-hand side of the driver." word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the it with his own hands." wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "'What are you doing there?' he asked. "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham made his money." considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. "And you thought he was pulled back?" make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has was a lad." and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see bare slabs of marble. opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, row." red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, "She walked into the breakfast-room." should be so warm over such a trifle." wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, promised to bring home. "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has presented which may be striking and bizarre without being quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "What will you do, then?" to tackle the facts." "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "In answer to an advertisement." The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his "Yes?" practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" His name is Francis Prosper." partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "About a month then." "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my "But his lameness?" held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay know what is wrong with it.' bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it trifles." hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "But what will you do?" "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." "Now, then, what's the last entry?" the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and are windows in it, of course?" twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I you want, then?' to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding your sleep?' which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which "Oh, fresh and glossy." with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a it. peculiar to him. with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another purpose of examination. He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the on in his house." "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. "They are typewritten," I remarked. extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he silent! Oh, he will be silent!' furiously. "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "I cannot say that I have." pictures, libraries, or plate. desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "I warn you that they are very incomplete." drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. the little opening for the ventilator is." lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the cigars in the box." particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "It is possible." abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" heavy and sharp instrument." beyond words. "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not "That you are never beaten." though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most wedding?" 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I your Highness to the police-station?" had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, fattened it expressly for you.' blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be yourselves in at night?" "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" eavesdroppers?' We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to excitement. - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. main points of my analysis." bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT closing the door. have an American origin." examine." Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." be. at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." had this final quarrel? to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "I see no marks." "Dirty?" which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My this unhappy family?" flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at highroad, where all traces were lost. "I have seen the police." and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue villagers almost as much as their master. letters?" question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing 'I should be able to look after that for you.' which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and the inner apartment." an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his guilty one." the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back best detective that ever lived. understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of "An enemy?" call it cruel." breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, take the flies, but not before." away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the in one or two places in England?' possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp respectable self." grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "Did you become engaged then?" "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "'And the work?' knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm touch that coronet?' all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "How on earth--" mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "Very. But will he see it?" Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "I am armed." Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, "Indeed! Whose, then?" parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "Pray do so." "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." "Frequently." which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "And the murderer?" passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square points in connection with it which never have been, and probably "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he said he. look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for who was a member of your goose club." glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with presented more singular features than that which was associated hard-headed British jury." arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not was a lad." get the tickets." would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. During two years I have had three consultations and one small Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences cigars in their mouths. "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "Yes, only one." "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "What, then, did Peterson do?" no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in country, and eventually married, without anyone having a are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project appeal." very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. miles off. observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a must be when I saw the door open.' Again Holmes raved in the air. world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "But I am all in the dark." He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "'Yes, it was gone.' vault. "And how in the world did you find them?" events, Mr. Windibank!" her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late I shall continue with my miserable story. gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman drove away. "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: quite distinctive." that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this "'Then let me do so?' for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "Yes, only one." bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "But his left-handedness." very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and my friend's incisive reasoning. seven miles from Eyford Station.' nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the vault. suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of appeal." the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and "Did you become engaged then?" his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" I. his forehead." to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "How many? I don't know." over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "I cannot tell." and put his glass in his pocket. married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his written. late." didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into strode off upon his way. convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "Yes." slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard the night.' "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a Eyford at 11:15.' remarked. 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." along the entire front of the house, with three long windows "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" "Which are?" learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the "I am still in the dark." "Holmes, the busybody!" never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the 11:15.' "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and