third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all Street. A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it train.' disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "If I can be of use." light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "'And the work?' "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow "Witness: It was. done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' Holmes' room. man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set my friend's incisive reasoning. word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was "Which surely he restored to their owner?" very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than "Were they all fastened this morning?" problems help me to do so." again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "Why, it's a dummy," said he. that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "The best possible." "Well, it is a possible supposition." business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped me, and I could not think that his explanation of the that I can to serve you." of the efforts of the United States government and of the better and a shock of very red hair. once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was you?" truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, shoulder; "he's all right." "He might." floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the events than those which have happened in my own family." vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I The telegram which we eventually received came late one night key turn in the lock." an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes him nearly every evening." fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though noble correspondent could be. tightly behind him. that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me interest. They are important, you understand, without being quick march!" disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and good-night and bustled off upon her way. "Was there a secret marriage?" a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. the salesman. his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin straightened it out again. His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me hopeless attempt at recovering them." Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, "I see many objections to any such theory." business?" 11:15.' was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping opened a pocket-book and took out a note. This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one lectures into a series of tales." that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in who was a member of your goose club." "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, hereditary King of Bohemia." "Where did you address your letters, then?" been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge "But your client--" than to us. It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you in a friendly supper." "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in waste of energy." chambers. and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom late!' at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was visitors." "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "Yes?" headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had Holmes' room. it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to vague figure huddled up in the darkness. hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of had formerly been in part my own. however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage cigar and let me expound." "And your mother is alive?" of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who closing the door. "And I say east," said my patient. return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the such attractions and accomplishments?' We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps Count Von Kramm." the window, rose as we entered. me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. ran thus: listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he his grey eyes. was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over Holmes." absolutely follow my advice in every respect." looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. said he at last. Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and have accepted such a situation. my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush "I shall be delighted." coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and again." rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who figure." daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to foot. hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 bachelor.' is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "How did he come?" which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the up this clue while it is still hot." sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the key of the affair now." "Tired-looking or fresh?" ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "Then you may be so with me." seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "What are they?" "It is his hat." brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether "'Where to?' difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "'I am sure if I had known--' "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "He is still with you, I presume?" "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one suggested at once that there must be a communication between the Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other three of the beryls in it, was missing. it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little "Nearly eleven." including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter bed dies. Does not that strike you?" which our visitor detailed to us. that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had married her." own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from sparkled upon his finger. for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her the address that was given us in the advertisement. - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If DAMAGE. our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. compunction about shooting them down." fat-encircled eyes. story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." said he, "my real name is James Ryder." connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." must be when I saw the door open.' the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the is now desirous of getting those letters back." "Did he not advertise?" "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe weighed down with some great anxiety. My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the "Never." once more on the important position which you have been fortunate at once, for I have only half an hour." Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "Certainly." and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the "That also I could fathom." "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. is," said he presently: of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the License. You must require such a user to return or "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "'Certainly not. But why?' yourselves in at night?" then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should happened." telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has nonsense.' "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at not fit the lock." "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some himself to hunt down. a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had client, rising. are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "Was the window open?" her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "I saw her in conversation with her maid." I held the little printed slip to the light. "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the brain must have something in it." detained." not as remarkable as your advertisement." belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': system of imprisonment?" to surprise her." address. returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple man. any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and "Will you bet, then?" smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no tightly behind him. considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the stepfather?" friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" about. the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "None." most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. had a long day." for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when these bleak autumnal evenings." arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of been able to understand it, in a very few words. "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "Did you observe the colour?" if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my depend upon your compliance." evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the fait accompli?" me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the visitors." delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility nonsense.' bed dies. Does not that strike you?" flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of "Why did you beat the pavement?" coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth I nodded to show that I had heard. Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. do.' mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." client, rising. yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents