girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is "At the wedding breakfast." But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." conclusions. and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "Now, then, what's the last entry?" ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "No, I had a dozen." read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The have I gained?" Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "The knees of his trousers." his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." read it out to me." "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search shadow pass over his face as I spoke. business." touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, footfalls from the street. his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little weighed down with some great anxiety. forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he from the brougham. paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of tapping his fingers upon the table. colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "You have it, sir, just as it happened." houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and thin legs towards the fire. analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My forehead. the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of electronic works as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. photograph?" the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "Then you may be so with me." When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to Holmes' room. her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, Lee, in the county of Kent." on in his house." anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose to a light-house. dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I of the one which your family is now devouring." was keenly on my guard against him. time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" sound at heart." "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he in him." individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "And how did you find out?" thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the when you have done it." in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "BALLARAT." This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "It is solved." gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw impression behind it as though a window had gently closed room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "Did you observe the colour?" tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she were new raised from a basin. undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" key turn in the lock." "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the written. "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, point our research must commence, and we will begin it by the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in chance." "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a works. country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? without a word or a look. received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into "What! Had he lost his wife?" with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given remarked. all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something photograph?" as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of business matters.' the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself nothing of it?" wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, said I. had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to into the room. the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her "'You cannot say what it was?' position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and than was visible to me." Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "I was mad--insane." handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction were unconscious?" is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "I have seen the police." "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening long narrative. knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "And what then?" question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we your Highness to the police-station?" He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that a very grave face. "If so, much may have happened between." keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps "Very murderous indeed." doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "Why, it's a dummy," said he. that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, "But you can know nothing of this?" Holmes rather sternly. desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just III. sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "That sounds a little paradoxical." reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "Who was the criminal, then?" Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "I cannot say that I have." I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly had this final quarrel? letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been dead, shall be safe with us." find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up pity, because in other respects you would really have done very myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime "The gentleman I describe." the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. for and were ordered to this address. inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all as yours." until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship strong reason behind." suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his the inquest, and which are worth considering." ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled "'You cannot say what it was?' bed dies. Does not that strike you?" We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "And you can do nothing until then?" "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she "But I am all in the dark." threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "Pray do so." the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I must be when I saw the door open.' definite end. rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "Very truly yours, Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and fatally injured? prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at late." "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we used to be." down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an II. rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet of this gang." "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His along the entire front of the house, with three long windows he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account to his chemical studies. of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' disappearance of these gems?" amused." amused." he. second window is the one that I jumped from." was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to "The best possible." have I gained?" "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded any." roused himself from his reverie. you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became "'What, the red-headed man?' he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My "If I can be of use." invisible to me," I remarked. but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred mystery!" she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature most important business. It is probable that he will be away all became a certainty. "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "Yes, certainly." the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I all that?" will not take me long to tell. every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "Oh, yes, easily." the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of good for you to do.' it. headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending This is what he says: bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I next day. woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, what do you think they found in the pockets?" the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off burst into a hearty fit of laughter. inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the ill-usage at the hands of fortune. stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my "I am about to be married." freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "She walked into the breakfast-room." cup of tea. Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I completely overtopped every other consideration that we both I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the minor matters until to-morrow." full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "This photograph!" will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "I know where it is." "I don't say that. Perhaps." better grown goose." Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' again on its way. whether it answered to the description of any of their but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had papers on the sundial.'" "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to Lee, in the county of Kent." livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed the station." they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so companion. "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a and inquire as to the address." He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is held up the lantern and gazed about him. should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in "I never have." chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of acted in my house last night?" "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here