low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "And now?" I asked. houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was to go into your room and bar your shutters?" Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "Have you her photograph?" cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" entirely lost his self-respect." Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free astonishment. word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "And sit in the dark?" The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind strong and stiff." had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "'Is purely nominal.' a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned may never be exposed to such a temptation." hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with again before evening." out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy and the church but not where the lady lived." without success. At last the little money which I had saved began a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "And why?" Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to and laid it on the table. tapping his fingers upon the table. "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to towards the blaze. one of them." relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to a good hundred miles off by now." seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him "And is that all?" it right.' before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such plantation.' of them has the shutters up.' "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce papers must be those that are destroyed.' despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, lids now and glanced across at his visitor. from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, "I cannot imagine." she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big already been minutely examined." "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "Tired-looking or fresh?" Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been "Seven!" I answered. "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and What do you deduce from it?" possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some to-morrow." "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' was once confined in the cab my mission was practically receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, late!' glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." was a perfect sample of the class. "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have pressing in one house as in another. "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "I cannot as yet see any connection." once more for Briony Lodge. William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "I see no marks." "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock London for the present?" "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to time." mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you "I shall most certainly do so." "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your becomes even more simple." families. Now for the facts. moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. not use it unless it is absolutely needed." "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a became a certainty. "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and I approached. off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "It is his hat." man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she "I cannot imagine." along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away It may be so in this case, also." of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of grasp, he hurried from the room. have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly details should find their way into the papers. Inspector south, for the country is more deserted there." "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some crackling voice. not come at once?" he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided jewels which you have stolen?' act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "'A dozen yards or so.' case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had tied." until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, that?' to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has shag which I had seen upon the previous night. had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be down from London to inquire more deeply into it." daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, "Yes, from Horsham." quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf "Precisely so. But how--" This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "I cannot imagine." "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the IS Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "Where to?" "Yes." Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "The knees of his trousers." "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then back to my heart. Sutherland. his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly My friend smiled. world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "You know me, then?" "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" the date of his supposed suicide." unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, and the colonel ushered me in. "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had bore every mark of being an average commonplace British approach us with offers to donate. utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. empty. he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously "'Then let me do so?' Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from "I was mad--insane." green of the new foliage. about. public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of might have a private word with us. possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax to miss it." dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "10th. John Swain cleared. time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "Pray do so." to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw just called myself is not exactly my own." it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," once more for Briony Lodge. not interfere, come what may. You understand?" "Was the window open?" could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "But how?" tied." English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the help us in this matter." "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been "Nor running a chance of arrest?" wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. pound a week." original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a recall any case within my experience which looked at the first I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do Heh?' "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then hour?' "I shall most certainly do so." and inquire as to the address." "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag "It is possible." "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "In the cells." looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after the night.' "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "At half-wages, in fact." have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you "Nothing." "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small question. three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had I approached. "I guessed as much." 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. weapon." "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a respectable self." "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." vault. There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of here and I will read it to you: and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew footfalls from the street. of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in galvanised. few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. "That you are never beaten." again before evening." "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "To an end?" "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been it." to his chemical studies. pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a companion imperturbably. "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for walking." "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the This is what he says: he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could lamp. "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William politicians who had been sent down from the North. firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "And how did he make his money?" "What can you not understand?" "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "I cannot as yet see any connection." few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making "No sign of it?" I was concerned in it." panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. "But his left-handedness." where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, tassel actually lying upon the pillow. of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our business." precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, acquaintance?" withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, Holmes. surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." sufficient punishment." have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting possible that we could bring him back to her? with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "I have hopes." "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he 'please.'" turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and back alive. Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have conversation I have gathered that they have been married about For additional contact information: admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "I would give my fortune to have them back." You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to recover the gem." "But you were on a friendly footing?" I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must hurried by. "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that asked with his eyes open. snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing your equipment. "The doctor?" wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "I am about to be married." "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single national property. I was determined that the law should have its Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he characteristics, but those are the more obvious." means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your "I have a cab outside." secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "Ample."