I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that "Yes, they were peculiar boots." somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down her also." certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a father's young wife. little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "My dear Holmes!" "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "'Oh, no.' "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the "'I have already given you my word.' will find little credit to be gained out of this case." "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. have not had my rubber." that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little DAMAGE. this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "Certainly." you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a "He is still with you, I presume?" moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and mysterious end." rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily reach." A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough until night should bring an explanation. to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether foot. side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the yards of it?' of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either where we are going." remarked. "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to "I answered that I had not. an introduction to him?" became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, hard-headed British jury." "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The figure." company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client Henry Baker is a member." are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you observed. official police." Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for four million human beings all jostling each other within the it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "Ample." master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "'I have heard so.' brandy and water within his reach. "On Monday." by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they infinite languor in his face. did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies that you wished to speak to me?' A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, into the bag, and made for the door. great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "'Yes, it was gone.' Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "You horrify me." some water from a caraffe. visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads never will be, entirely cleared up. "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the sparkled upon his finger. "There is the writing." panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock shall not find me ungrateful." There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke closely." of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the detective. overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. to-night?' this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "And what then?" bachelor.' hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "Pray be precise as to details," said he. "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of is," said he presently: right! Sit down and let us talk it over." "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the will not take me long to tell. memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, persecution?" "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with not fit the lock." place no limit on the sum I may draw." "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, noting anything else of interest. instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything had no one to advise her at such a crisis." means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the prison!" "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled there was no need for father to know." he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. words came to my lips. "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "I cannot as yet see any connection." Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "'Certainly not.' every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" she slowly sank and died without having recovered her should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this horse could go." for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "Why did you beat the pavement?" shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this it right.' make me his representative both with the servants and with the man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the the matter." did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my other means.' crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at hurried away. what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another following enigmatical notices: "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom stalked out of the room. was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." that, and I came down." to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate sofa. This way, please!" Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside "Yesterday." hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "Ample." guilty one." upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, nonsense.' and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "No sign of it?" the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in orange pips. knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "Could he throw no light?" and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "Texas, I think." prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and leaning back in his chair. the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward the matter." England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "Was the window open?" Young McCarthy must be got off, however." light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "Stolen, then." rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "Where did he live, then?" now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of it." instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer "No, distinctly professional." at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "No good news?" the running down." in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still him and tried to hold him back. frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," late." "But what harm can there be in that?" "'How far from the body?' "Entirely." for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the presented more singular features than that which was associated "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and "It was a confession," I ejaculated. from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then tell them apart.' hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "If so, much may have happened between." my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "But his lameness?" "Then I can wait in the next room." "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. "Pray let us have it, for all that." could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would useful material for showing traces. The double line a little Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "You have compromised yourself seriously." another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to as noiselessly as she had come. heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He of a light. specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I see me here to avoid scandal." been anything against him. He had for years been known as a truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad became a certainty. of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and brain must have something in it." accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the which are rolled in Rotterdam." years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "'There is a drive, then?' direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the all-comprehensive glances. marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up imbecility!" he cried. wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "Where is it, then?" "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a asked. believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly furiously. tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "Just look it up, then." did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "It was." held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was official police." tell them apart.' "That is unusual in a young girl." VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa other, as fresh and trim as possible. very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. vault. Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the "Certainly, madam." "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. tell them apart.' all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon information in his hands the value of which he did not himself all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. companion. he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I noble correspondent could be. "Yes, I have one waiting." "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. think, you have already met." was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa Serpentine Avenue. and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the anything to a woman, for she would have her way." "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing sofa. This way, please!" If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire words came to my lips. he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be is acting for the best. going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "'Stolen!' he cried. "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the was it brought him the coronet? the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you not, dad?" she asked. one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you "What is it, then--a fire?" he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double she used." society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version see a sister of mine apply for." "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and "Yes." he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and writers could invent nothing more crude."