"Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." tassel actually lying upon the pillow. play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion Heh?' building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "No." "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between "Nothing." you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On in a friendly supper." people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business forecastle of an emigrant ship. view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you "Dr. Becher's." of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who train from Paddington which would bring you there at about Holmes." "He said that you could solve anything." that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank daring than any effort of the imagination." "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me would apply.' "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "What!" he roared. little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "But how will you look?" For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "And why?" which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' been anything against him. He had for years been known as a and prosperity to your house. Good-night." where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "I will get her to show me." 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. of the one which your family is now devouring." looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the your only hope of safety." drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." clang of the bell. place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "I cannot say that I have." rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "There are none." "'And what are they worth?' I asked. down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "Here?" "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in woman." confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms name is different." "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "On your arm?" strong and stiff." as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If him to go away.' dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. "'In my own bureau.' the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you strength in the others." gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My "I came to find a friend." all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "What shall I do?" lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying You want to know what became of those geese?" Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "'Oh, no.' having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be tell him that I know him to be innocent." conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' bird I ate is country bred." knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every and a shock of very red hair. the dangers which encompass me." round and wave him away like that.' heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your threw himself down with his face to the pillow. to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." deduce something from that?" "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I to affect your life." whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little should be so warm over such a trifle." doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty Surrey." right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case daring than any effort of the imagination." it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR you." thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At if she died from some sudden fright." Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could gentleman's clothes. "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "Yes, all." his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "But his lameness?" pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me footfalls from the street. between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "BALLARAT." focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet anything to do with the matter?" conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is because she had spent so short a time in this country that she Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "And Irene Adler?" quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "Then the page we have seen--" useful material for showing traces. The double line a little he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "And why?" friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little is four-and-twenty." the running down." father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by off." "Upon what point?" do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination a little more before I quite committed myself. of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" seen the man in the road." not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of since then to throw any light upon what became of him." outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was my friend's incisive reasoning. "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when your sleep?' his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, them?" has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture "That is unusual in a young girl." think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that with frightened eyes at his accuser. and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "But his left-handedness." quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. society." "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and "How long did she speak to this Alice?" his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for tail." result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project security.' stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their wanted for ourselves." respectable self." bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a bled considerably." my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you You can understand that this register and diary may implicate male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a highly," said Holmes. immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "My dear Holmes!" remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "What then?" Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes coat-tails." and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? gone. making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must information in his hands the value of which he did not himself generous with you in money matters.' "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." anything to do with the matter?" the roots. "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said very peculiar words of the dying woman?" "Certainly." strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and "Yes, there are nearly always some there." opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story been deceived." they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some "And how in the world did you find them?" burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our there!' Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his chill to my heart. "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the tear off another piece?' "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. noble correspondent could be. air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off words came to my lips. "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless generous with you in money matters.' Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, companion. not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan pressing in one house as in another. I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return Holmes' face clouded over. introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years there!' secret." the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 "Pray do so." down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged vague figure huddled up in the darkness. me upon any point which I do not make clear." distinguish the words: exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that unkempt, staring out at me. a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check any more." chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "I have seen the police." horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line know that the truth is known." force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, along the entire front of the house, with three long windows "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on stepfather?" fasten all the windows?" affection." the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" "Dirty?" garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "But how will you look?" ran thus: my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with main points of my analysis." of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. I think that I could be of assistance to you." In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" in. is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." one or two very singular points about this room. For example, James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "And I." chill to my heart. cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then upon the shelf for the interim." that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "At the wedding breakfast." furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "But how?" engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed "I shall most certainly do so." "'What are you doing there?' he asked. "Never." any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary acquaintance?" fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. call the police, let the police find what they can.' connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of bird I ate is country bred." "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, was it brought him the coronet? "And why?" "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's "But you would not advise me to refuse?" very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" business." the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country "Was your sister dressed?" considering the formidable letters which were received by himself not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one himself to tell his story. "I was certainly surprised to find you there." Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "No, I had a dozen." alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always prison!" "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way hair?' in. before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you unkempt, staring out at me. more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "But what is it you wish?" "I shall be delighted." come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had ill-usage at the hands of fortune. this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a see me here to avoid scandal." tell me that you intended to go into harness." "Absolutely?" "And you thought he was pulled back?" which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person "But you would not advise me to refuse?" dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining me have 200 pounds?' "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to went to the Alpha were town bred." "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the know that the truth is known." relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in intrusion of other matters." "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother learned something! Where are the gems?" uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in discontent upon his features. "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring "And how did you find out?" took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that Serpentine Avenue.