conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "'A dozen yards or so.' constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these "It is to him that this trophy belongs." Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking mysterious end." ourselves in the office." Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my some mystery and the punishment of some crime." prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable views." he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's in. Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her tapping his fingers upon the table. fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The some terrible trap for her." "This concluded the examination of the witness." bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him "Yes, all." not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the "I should be immensely obliged to you." the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "No, thank goodness, she did not." labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of will he say when he returns?" Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular Doctor, of the paper and the date." has little to do with my story." shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to The events in question occurred in the early days of my greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever help us in this matter." for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking know that the truth is known." "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the present." learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit other means.' should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by "Oh, yes, easily." I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out "I will try. What is it?" cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I characteristics, but those are the more obvious." little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our it." "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." waste of energy." souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "'I shall certainly be there.' Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself here." reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because unkempt, staring out at me. conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime in a very precise fashion." "Very well, sir. And this stone?" that there was nothing in it, after all." have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "But your client--" of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." chamber." tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I Does that suggest anything?" the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. meanly of me." so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "Yes." look dissatisfied." without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 she used." "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a it." same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the row." money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. Pool. to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." breakfast." have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself your own bird, so if you wish--" 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "'Yes, I promise.' "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let wanted for ourselves." The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "'Tell me all about it,' said I. The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were tightly behind him. arrested. You then--" mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "You will not go there first?" leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity "And for present expenses?" "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, hard-headed British jury." an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and gbnewby@pglaf.org leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." Arthur Conan Doyle his grey eyes. that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness it." dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "Always." James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "One of his hands." receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours man. flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "I have hopes." which our visitor detailed to us. he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my even so self-evident a thing as that." found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "If so, much may have happened between." wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect are windows in it, of course?" in this note: Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough would then never go into court at all." "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last national property. I was determined that the law should have its "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank conclusions. "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "Absolutely?" "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" "Breckinridge is his name." Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, is entirely a question of barometric pressure." Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and as this. Pray let me have the details." caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I your only hope of safety." VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss in his power. of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "Her father is very rich?" glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "I say that I have solved it." 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in you." imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic man. I know him from the photograph." States. in a friendly supper." perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "How about poison?" five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient what is your own theory as to what took place?" seven miles from Eyford Station.' At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his man. I know him from the photograph." reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of there in twenty minutes." Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious touch that coronet?' off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common once more to my work. brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at like that before?" "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before I leave." "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I to have that photograph." "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous people don't know." about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment questioning and rather startled gaze. joking. assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of your sleep?' purpose equally well?" "BALLARAT." And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our During two years I have had three consultations and one small "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "By train from Waterloo." "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case you do it in twenty minutes!' "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." a good hundred miles off by now." mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you may never be exposed to such a temptation." leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at crowd. until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "It may not come to that," said Holmes. about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help helping a boy to put up the shutters. gone. lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some been with you?" Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he up this clue while it is still hot." "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more gentleman's clothes. that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send "When did she vanish, then?" state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "Where did you address your letters, then?" to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and colonel looking down at me. to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "'And what salary do you ask?' should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried paper in the air. 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really the inner apartment." "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love could not have written that. It is the German who is so immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his the house with me." accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "Your sister is dead, then?" my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us someone who had been in Australia." there in twenty minutes." room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "And how did you find out?" such person." "So I have heard." rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the call it cruel." "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "You think that he is dead?" eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom asked with his eyes open. the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks "An enemy?" his eyes and forehead. "What are they?" feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon occupations.' conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "Ha! In Victoria! That is important."