been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster undoubtedly my uncle's." "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "He is dead," cried several voices. goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There details." permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who that conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a the date of his supposed suicide." plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very approach us with offers to donate. noise which awoke you from your sleep?" throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of her also." say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "And I to find an enemy." comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." I. towards the blaze. overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I hands. Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between James Windibank. Voilà tout!" comes from the middle window." it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. them?" coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of Young McCarthy must be got off, however." customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "'I am sure if I had known--' "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "The Coroner: What do you mean? thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to own family. hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who on in his house." think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies License. You must require such a user to return or forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a Have you good authority for what you say?" her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for would then never go into court at all." protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his distance from the station, and there we found the young lady King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "Ah!" "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir to where he stood hid behind the curtain. shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His "'Not at all. I only doubt--' chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the "Come in!" said he. photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "Witness: Nothing definite. I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "Not him." Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his will be renamed. "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in away into the river." "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he "'Quite sure, dad.' from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he Henry Baker is a member." "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the had this final quarrel? objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose 1.F. corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not bill, which interests me deeply." Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." his face which made him a very different person to the round, whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "Precisely so. But how--" "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "Tired-looking or fresh?" Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, quite distinctive." expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "No." "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "The doctor?" Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk very old mansion. that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "To the police?" "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "Then I can wait in the next room." your own bird, so if you wish--" Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "And did you observe any change in her then?" "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were always that they were such commands as a lady might with the ceiling. Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless any more." "I think that I had better go, Holmes." dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King walking." "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical been." "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I golden eyeglasses. the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a bonnet, and went out." sound at heart." greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "Then you may be so with me." past. Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called "By train from Waterloo." possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that at my remark. the armchair which I pushed forward for him. which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we questioning and rather startled gaze. "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." very peculiar words of the dying woman?" his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "And what did you see?" About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of said he at last. Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly became a certainty. course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the bare slabs of marble. Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "I came to find a friend." "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean that I can to serve you." "It missed him, then?" "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "Well?" A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of generous with you in money matters.' merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "Certainly." once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I and the whole place is in a blaze." body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "Eh? What was that?" said I. public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in "And you don't know his address?" writer." conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "Was she in good spirits?" "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. were wasted." lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a him and tried to hold him back. "You were travelling in the States?" in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a murdered man." the armchair which I pushed forward for him. said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "Can I be of assistance?" The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running to his chemical studies. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "Very. But will he see it?" wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the least a most suspicious remark." gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the Holmes' thin, eager face. frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "It is his hat." a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, Farm upon the left." will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the "I should like to see him very much." "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see tapping his fingers upon the table. asked. was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with may never be exposed to such a temptation." child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." started for the Temple to see my husband. A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "We have tried and failed." "Then you may be so with me." the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me October 9, 1890. "But who is he?" "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an straightened it out again. "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the dates and names. unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "Pray be precise as to details," said he. The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no before the coroner and the police-court." "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in occurred." that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "Then I can wait in the next room." "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." excitement. push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen thought that she would have been so carried away." "No, I had a dozen." contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what "Well." helping a boy to put up the shutters. to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the new duties?' pierced for earrings?" tell him that I know him to be innocent." How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a was used.' and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there little trying to do so much typewriting?" prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through "Yes." conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." "I will not look." "Did you become engaged then?" top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded "You have compromised yourself seriously." the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton have one." Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "I assure you that I am in your hands." imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day matter over." with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a your sleep?' make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good "Not in a good cause." Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were God! What an exposure! What can I do?" nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns were wasted." "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." you." also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the handed it to him. be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. there was no need for father to know." and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever noble correspondent could be. as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the know what is wrong with it.' bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to off." "One of the highest in England." way: you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know appeared upon the scene." "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round