his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were hour?' Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door know all about it," he snarled. gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the fashion which was peculiar to him. had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." you." this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him one which it was hard to resist. affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "Will you go?" his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" is four-and-twenty." other lovers by making love himself." "And you thought he was pulled back?" the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." "It's nothing of the kind." inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have papers." Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs really the only notable feature about the thing." "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "I see no marks." "'Certainly not. But why?' I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special becomes even more simple." "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from Munro.' as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "Yes." absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy be best to do. She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day be sorry for having acted so harshly." myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "Then you may entirely rely on me." "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are Literary Archive Foundation Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "Always." "By train from Waterloo." VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that entirely devoid of interest." fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some the best of training." walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the "Then, how do you know?" and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "But of what society?" particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' spark where all is dark to me." considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "Then I do not see the point." "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "But we can't all be." child?' arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back me. Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "What can you not understand?" dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in existence." he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a that threaten you." thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in records." down from London to inquire more deeply into it." your bag." obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "One of the highest in England." "I cannot tell." both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "That is easily got." "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell page at http://pglaf.org "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "Was your sister dressed?" She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you me. and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon cigars in their mouths. concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "On Monday." less than 26s. 4d. "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here beg that you will break it off." above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs cost them two and thirty pounds." winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. "No good news?" fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might eavesdroppers?' sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, papers diligently of late, have you not?" "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. seen the man in the road." companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange is worth.' companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with "Witness: I must still refuse. opportunities to fix the problem. "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "'What, the red-headed man?' the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you and that he would see to anything that turned up. bore every mark of being an average commonplace British dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and advice." thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and at once, for I have only half an hour." goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" were new raised from a basin. "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. opportunities to fix the problem. the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "I cannot think." "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and suspect him." grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases she to prove their authenticity?" the coronet in his hand?" serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark Sholtos." "No, I had a dozen." outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "What I expected to see." done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "But we can't all be." one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me touch that coronet?' shoulder. "May I see it?" north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. key of the affair now." however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge so far?" distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "Pray continue your narrative." office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never "None." nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the "Certainly." "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among colonel looking down at me. That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not green of the new foliage. was not a bird to be seen there. "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any upon the shelf for the interim." and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. London for the present?" better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the in this note: This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." are, I think, all that we need." fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads Pope's Court. me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the back into the street. and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm "Really! You surprise me." bachelor.' you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the noting anything else of interest. "One of the highest in England." followed. him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would of receipt of the work. photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone away into the river." such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we Munro.' mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a the inner apartment." "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "And you thought he was pulled back?" orange pips. with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to considering the formidable letters which were received by himself including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary had formerly been in part my own. Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not indeed which he could not unravel. seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America fasten all the windows?" "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing "Holmes, the busybody!" sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "'Entirely.' silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to "Was there a secret marriage?" "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a Henry Baker is a member." very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, over here." "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very "By no means." was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg made his money." violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to breakfast and whispered something to her husband. my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "You horrify me." "Oh, the cause is excellent!" I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing think you a quite exceptional woman." have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "Thank you. Pray proceed." "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. against a man in the prime of life?" down from London to inquire more deeply into it." between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? will find little credit to be gained out of this case." is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at "Is he quiet?" "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled flock.' "From his hat?" Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he extraordinary contortions. certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question should be taken.' then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. absolutely follow my advice in every respect." out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the had picked up in the wood. settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no "'I have heard so.' used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should shaken than I had ever seen him. seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was sneer upon his pale face. of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with locked. keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you investigation." him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" "Of Friday, June 19th." "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow on re-entering her father's house?" you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers but preventing her from injuring another. "'Very good.' she slowly sank and died without having recovered her "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "'Where could I find him?' "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. or in danger--" that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the