it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will orange pips. rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a has little to do with my story." in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg "No more words. Get out!" scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the in one or two places in England?' While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly chance at all." the window, rose as we entered. have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "Where, indeed?" for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming Leave Paddington by the 11:15." my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. girl said." his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" arms and began to sob in a high treble key. scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his side. certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present that I may have something better before very many minutes are eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his into her hand at the door and which lured her within their Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. success. "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, sooner or later she must fall a victim. "Never to return." the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond voice. Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "'Yes, it was gone.' "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" night.' said he. he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "You have carte blanche." quick march!" with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "It is half-past ten now." traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." pity, because in other respects you would really have done very to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her developed." him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their "Thank you. Pray proceed." "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't enter Dr. Roylott's room." set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "Come in!" said Holmes. me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were coroner's jury." "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight so far?" in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, "But not more so than I to find you." "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." your troubles." all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the my secret was safe in his possession. power." were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "It came here." have one." aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow call the police, let the police find what they can.' examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. throat." before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true that before taking the final step I should like to submit the been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "My own seal." I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts to surprise her." dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. brandy and water within his reach. you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, Heh?' "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, ceremony." "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an hard-headed British jury." "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not looking up at the numbers of the houses." "What! You do not mean bodies?" passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a you found me to-night--and running through the front room she As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, ordinary clothes on?" web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the I nodded again. him nearly every evening." cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "Upon what point?" disappearance of the bride.'" About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, companion imperturbably. "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. more terrible than the truth. written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been "I see many objections to any such theory." was a lad." silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." was keenly on my guard against him. "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "'Yes, sir.' "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at ceremony." very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "Game for a morning drive?" works. is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "'Where to?' impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face stalked out of the room. "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "At what time?" ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly "And I to find an enemy." "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they stood on the top of it. I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this fashion which was peculiar to him. imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. "And now?" He raised his hand. great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the better grown goose." mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird Young McCarthy must be got off, however." in one or two places in England?' was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. events, Mr. Windibank!" "'I have heard so.' "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "Pray do so." from the brougham. o'clock is it?" many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe green of the new foliage. paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "From his hat?" "It is very clear." "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. affection." reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I round with crates and massive boxes. hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his distinguish the words: believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began you." union?" "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, during the last few years, and there are many noble families to "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with persecution?" Does that suggest anything?" was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is of receipt of the work. my special province." young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I an introduction to him?" hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, galvanised. way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are Lestrade of Scotland Yard." dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, "I cannot say that I have." We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "At half-wages, in fact." took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once fashion which was peculiar to him. and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. nonsense.' do." my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "Then I can wait in the next room." as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "I was certainly surprised to find you there." there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers lumber-room." every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "How about poison?" copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the business." client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "'Most admirably.' shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found breakfast?" He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" of the vacancies.' "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in about. demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck if only as a check to my own memory." of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase together. were wasted." Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "'Yes, sir.' expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some "Where did you address your letters, then?" King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. to tackle the facts." shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some plantation.' valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the go from here to the Strand." that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was them?" sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through straightened it out again. tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which matters immensely." "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the here and I will read it to you: following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" room. in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the soul! here is her carriage at the door." surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, acquaintance?" feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "How can you tell that?" yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but went to the Alpha were town bred." your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. the warnings." few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed "Very. But will he see it?" daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not to affect your life." "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. wife's character?" "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the a monotonous occupation." without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue charge against him will break down." the best of training." "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story "No." the so-precious time, but come!' glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. back alive. Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "What are they?" the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and chair. admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." only touch the interest." "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began business." "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper "When did it break out?" along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these the devil!" "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in charged with?" Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." "Her father is very rich?" nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made your equipment. river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very Does that suggest anything?" moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you copied or distributed: though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my I have it here in my museum." quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was more solid." Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "You don't mind breaking the law?" three of the beryls in it, was missing. "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would "I should be immensely obliged to you." Gutenberg-tm License. had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she