shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached "And it is--" purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "If so, much may have happened between." lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. of receipt of the work. "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "And help." murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently foresight and the moral retrogression?" and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into forehead. "No." I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for appointment with me for six o'clock?" morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. me where it went to?" "There is the writing." been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. "Very well, sir. And this stone?" with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," she used." "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "I would pay ten." some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "You are all wrong." "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." opened the door, and slipped through. "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had Eyford." showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, excitement. "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before pictures, libraries, or plate. as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. allusion to a rat. when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and shoulder. "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard round and wave him away like that.' been able to understand it, in a very few words. Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood vanished into the darkness. "'Which dealer's?' done what I asked you, Jones?" "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "How did he come?" end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled and a shock of very red hair. ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything maiden herself was most instructive." swore that no one else had been in the front room during the I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin The note was undated, and without either signature or address. our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "Pray do so." in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. The telegram which we eventually received came late one night seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "Very well, sir. And this stone?" done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. arms and began to sob in a high treble key. he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! go back?" drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. present." my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "I assure you that I am in your hands." Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm leave you to your papers for a little." been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it bedroom door." fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be have established a very serious case against the son of the save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "The gentleman I describe." "'You cannot say what it was?' than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out your Highness to the police-station?" "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year present." propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a are windows in it, of course?" settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it noble correspondent could be. but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend placed his cuttings. About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have more terrible than the truth. "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out lost nothing by them." when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have This is what he says: "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in that there was nothing in it, after all." her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to is now desirous of getting those letters back." the inquest, and which are worth considering." "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own she slowly sank and died without having recovered her He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who have got?" a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other ran thus: "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was noting anything else of interest. I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began my friend's incisive reasoning. and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the way in everything. "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. know that the truth is known." fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon London for the present?" in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The bore every mark of being an average commonplace British houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be your equipment. in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him "'Never,' said I. detained." and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. long narrative. the coronet in his hands?" hour." said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest London for the present?" "Bought." surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking with her." "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings "To an English lawyer named Norton." "Yes, only one." "My Mary? Impossible!" Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his fait accompli?" "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. companion imperturbably. shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. quickly through a disagreeable task. the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it delirious. the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a your co-operation." "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white "Nothing." the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in troubles have been weighing upon his mind. "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and relief. upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and mysterious end." usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no knowledge of the world." Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are "Always." "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can to take care of herself." so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" "One horse?" interjected Holmes. meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. "You have carte blanche." he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not foresight and the moral retrogression?" mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will you." values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after locked." take the flies, but not before." "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" "I have a cab outside." "Come in!" said he. Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the away in different directions, and I went off to make my own have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "I would pay ten." a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian suggested at once that there must be a communication between the what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of not, dad?" she asked. say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But this remarkable episode. "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "What then?" been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "'Ample.' And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers that I may have something better before very many minutes are gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or upon an income of about 60 pounds." A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six unprecedented a position." own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." colonel looking down at me. after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will unprecedented a position." the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him hopeless attempt at recovering them." dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' comes from the middle window." "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "Dark enough and sinister enough." terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the your room." association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of "It surprised me." "What shall I do?" in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two question. letters?" which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across Serpentine Avenue. 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man "We were both in the photograph." of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the bird of prey. Holmes rather sternly. upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "Who was the criminal, then?" locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal "What, then?" the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "No, thank goodness, she did not." "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed occurred." "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the strong reason behind." "What do you make of that, Watson?" "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to giving me time to thank him. "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old for and were ordered to this address. "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer annoyance, but no jest. dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, Edgeware Road. I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "You will not go there first?" brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat he. "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would the nursery. how narrow had been my escape. Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into them, and came down just as you departed. managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he said he. the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found arms and began to sob in a high treble key. myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I know what is wrong with it.' eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, are, and they are waiting for us." deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep "That sounds a little paradoxical." in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "I think that I had better go, Holmes." shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few "I will try. What is it?" left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil head. So long, then!" and effective." morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, of this gang." man. self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of emerged. "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. my little problems." prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a