"'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "What! Had he lost his wife?" Holmes' thin, eager face. The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood But Holmes shook his head gravely. will not take me long to tell. Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." me where it went to?" "Well, some hundreds of times." just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "That is unusual in a young girl." writer." lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the back alive. to a light-house. upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they excitement. "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said laugh and put his lips to my ear. however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much "Did you become engaged then?" chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "To ruin me." there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three forebodings. finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "What do you make of that, Watson?" "Absolutely none." "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "You did not overhear what they said?" "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" "By no means." suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" "Get out!" said he. cup of tea. heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which "Now, then, what's the last entry?" The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the spark where all is dark to me." the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather "Certainly, madam." cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in "I think it very unlikely." "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "That is easily got." "But what harm can there be in that?" "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "When did it break out?" "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "You were travelling in the States?" never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every charged with?" connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were with frightened eyes at his accuser. "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' present." orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in call for protection in the marriage market, for the present "'Ample.' remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "What will you say?" question," said Holmes, smiling. Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in politicians who had been sent down from the North. "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and "'There is a drive, then?' window when the police appeared." was keenly on my guard against him. closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his begun to whiten, even as mine has." once more to my work. in his hands." a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "Entirely." however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. "Tired-looking or fresh?" untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "Then the page we have seen--" through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack invisible to me," I remarked. "Very murderous indeed." in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, residence of the great financier. she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the What do you deduce from it?" "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his "Ten will be early enough." my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small interested in these little problems, and since you are good Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my interests were the same as his." total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated shoulder. "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" 1.F. moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." a little more before I quite committed myself. have not had my rubber." "I saw her in conversation with her maid." answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, infinite languor in his face. any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "'What, the red-headed man?' the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of quick march!" "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a bearing upon the case." side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and cigar and let me expound." I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "I cannot tell." served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my that you saw all that I did." Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, front of the hall door has given its name to the place. "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I once more on the important position which you have been fortunate from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have Edgeware Road. "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." could gather together that I was able to avert another public she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "Did your wife hear all this?" "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his to some other building. These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Yes." through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small "And I to find an enemy." keep the flames under. "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but despair." comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no brought there to personate someone, and the real person is and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, since then to throw any light upon what became of him." without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was could not have written that. It is the German who is so "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in bird I ate is country bred." four million human beings all jostling each other within the lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank "An enemy?" towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, to his chemical studies. beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That "Which surely he restored to their owner?" the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will everything which you would wish to know." building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece and laid it on the table. employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really "At what time?" profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before Does that suggest anything?" you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your "Stolen." bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to events, Mr. Windibank!" see me here to avoid scandal." that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across along the entire front of the house, with three long windows in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and and that he would see to anything that turned up. you?' The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many "What! a murderous attack?" "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the time." man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our "'I am sure if I had known--' white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known "So I am. Very much so." "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "No more words. Get out!" Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "I have seen the police." "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be the matter." vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that Farm upon the left." Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." "And sit in the dark?" rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right upon an income of about 60 pounds." directors have had misgivings upon the subject." overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" the roots. the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she all?" dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, "I am about to be married." we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came be.' of the vacancies.' a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project meant it for the best. him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "Will you bet, then?" Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly For additional contact information: little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his the devil!" Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate voice, changing her seat as requested. society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without "What office?" "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" bird of prey. find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "Oh, fresh and glossy." telegram would bring me down to your help." gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads was a lad." the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, go back?" "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same colonel looking down at me. Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in his face. "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by hour." as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "On your arm?" his forehead." Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the only touch the interest." in the hope of finding them." it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps business in the City. She little knew what. it." detective. 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he daring than any effort of the imagination." the side-table." shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "'And what are they worth?' I asked. "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for indeed happy." pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" felt?" where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and memory. eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "Witness: I must still refuse. you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her careless servant girl?" "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet himself. emerged. "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the your billet.' it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "Precisely so. But how--" Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable begun to whiten, even as mine has." How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the "Quite so. She has her freedom." enough to aid us in our search." right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been eat it." "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the