might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "It looks newer than the other things?" morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is a little more before I quite committed myself. Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, fatally injured? flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew "By no means." diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said closing the door. law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "And the murderer?" in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that plantation.' "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." "To the police?" something of him before." nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For case before our client came into the room." writer." cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. "And on what day did he meet his death?" following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, been deceived." photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then "Ah, but I was recommended to you." door?" "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. "I am following you closely," I answered. "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." was a loud and authoritative tap. in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting Arthur Conan Doyle feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones until night should bring an explanation. What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call better in every way that they should make their position a little homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came the matter." ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back been shamefully used." "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." the warnings." 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "Entirely." his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! out." human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between learned something! Where are the gems?" silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his know what is wrong with it.' "'About the same.' I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should "A client, then?" "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "At what time?" went to the Alpha were town bred." a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "My dear Holmes!" police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to unkempt, staring out at me. abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be and all of them with the keenest interest. "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "But his left-handedness." in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "Has he come with you to-night?" of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed before, for it was considerably after midnight. in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." neither fascinating nor artistic." upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up and wait." to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from at once, for I have only half an hour." herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to prison!" me what he had done with the three missing stones. "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. coroner's jury." five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If me upon any point which I do not make clear." the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains sofa. This way, please!" there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "Eh? What was that?" "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" ordinary clothes on?" "A client, then?" "Do you know him?" however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can is so. I know all about McCarthy." or other trace. But how on earth--" "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and "Yes, the wine-cellar." death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. questionable one." going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "Then how many are there?" "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his call you and give you the chance." "It was a confession," I ejaculated. views." side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the correct than the official force." where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the your only hope of safety." "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew companion. question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony Where does the thing come from?' Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted married her." "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he chamber." "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great foot. not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? Countess of Morcar's?" On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I cup of tea. vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my fluttered off among the others. done what I asked you, Jones?" Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they Holmes rather sternly. have established a very serious case against the son of the peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "I am armed." "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." a monotonous occupation." transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." whether it answered to the description of any of their hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "It is his hat." look dissatisfied." the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing business." business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "It is solved." iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the noting anything else of interest. "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a I nodded to show that I had heard. "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? observed. it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. allusion to a rat. electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "I do." "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a quick march!" Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "My dear Holmes!" its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into "What office?" "In heaven's name, what for?" "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "You'll never persuade me to believe that." The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and depend upon your compliance." which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the me, and I could not think that his explanation of the "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole "But to whom?" There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not "And I." drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. that you wished to speak to me?' I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must client, rising. consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. hand, madam?" possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was "How many? I don't know." "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those "Why, it's a dummy," said he. see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey will find little credit to be gained out of this case." You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a power." heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I other lovers by making love himself." Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See during which he might have communicated with his friend the can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to woman." "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "Certainly." borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." digesting their breakfasts at home." say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. is worth.' signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. His smile broadened. suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you go--none." a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of "Why did you pick him?" "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that occurred." we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "'There is a drive, then?' "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow on re-entering her father's house?" "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in public press." been lifted and conveyed somewhere." submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a she to prove their authenticity?" Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez "Awake, Watson?" he asked. Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than purpose equally well?" could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "And did you observe any change in her then?" may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "I was afraid that you were engaged." deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the residence of the great financier. compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For "Very much so." never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the and all of them with the keenest interest. shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight events than those which have happened in my own family." open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "Proceed, then." "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "That was it, sir." she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on searched, without anything being found which could incriminate jewels which you have stolen?' subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was Young McCarthy must be got off, however." strength in the others." time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "Yes, I have one waiting." Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. furiously. "'Stolen!' he cried. of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you "Yes, at the mines." see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "So it appears." of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "It goes to the housekeeper's room." public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining tension within him. "So it appears." the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral,