"Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "Here?" "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "But you were on a friendly footing?" of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had purpose of examination. and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself at a side door. stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we later, upon the night of May 2nd." small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' colonel looking down at me. "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six because she had spent so short a time in this country that she found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy prison!" one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "Of Friday, June 19th." there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she became a certainty. license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off narrative." who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." "Could he throw no light?" bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and come either from the window or the door. My attention was was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary seven miles from Eyford Station.' troubles have been weighing upon his mind. "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but and it need not interfere very much with one's other what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" this as likely?" Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "Her father is very rich?" also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the his face. constraint." "Ample." "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was not within a twentieth part of the market price." served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial showing my impatience. awaited us upon the table. explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a III. We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much reach." not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as been anything against him. He had for years been known as a Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing matter." although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the depend upon my doing so.' "'And the work?' keep the flames under. them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of three fields round his house, and there he would take his "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in "But the mystery?" one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an when you have done it." very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll relation between them, and what the object of his repeated latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day public press." little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of were unconscious?" repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will yards of it?' know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear you." thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It just called myself is not exactly my own." "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless away into the river." shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he out of this horrible affair." jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. the room while you explain this matter?" grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant the running down." to-night?' the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards one which it was hard to resist. held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "Could he throw no light?" explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed out." While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and lost his Christmas dinner." in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last his eyes and forehead. about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own point in the dark hollow of his hand. you." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing had died away into the silence from which it rose. certainly not very gracious." the side-table." "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, the coroner come to?" lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the the nursery. coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window strength of mind to control. "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since Serpentine Avenue. "No. His orders were to stay in the house." ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which habit of advancing money.' decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon few hundred pounds.' "And how in the world did you find them?" carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was tassel actually lying upon the pillow. Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it less than 26s. 4d. considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check observed. shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "Precisely so. But how--" know what is wrong with it.' between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "You horrify me." "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for photograph a cabinet?" suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "And I to find an enemy." "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock John Swain, of St. Augustine. "By no means." than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "I have my revolver," said I. "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept it right.' His smile broadened. "Yes, I have one waiting." "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "From his hat?" prison!" "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "In answer to an advertisement." pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in Holmes' room. explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "You know me, then?" twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "Your presence might be invaluable." however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy and shall probably return to London by the evening train." what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers than was visible to me." impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little "Pray be precise as to details," said he. fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know "Absolutely?" the little opening for the ventilator is." before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal national property. I was determined that the law should have its do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us "It was." iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and "Pray continue your narrative." peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood "An enemy?" know what is wrong with it.' "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a not come at once?" "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. minor matters until to-morrow." why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "Dirty?" go from here to the Strand." than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "You don't mind breaking the law?" "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is away in different directions, and I went off to make my own in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "No?" fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, "An enemy?" husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely arrangements." usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes matter over." "But I am all in the dark." and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number pictures, libraries, or plate. The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "'It is locked up,' I answered. tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most "I see no marks." carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of fishes. "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin helping a boy to put up the shutters. shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average are, I think, all that we need." the very letters. But what is this written above them?' it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and any more." employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the which was all perfectly true. his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. things are very often connected not with the larger but with the minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "And I say east," said my patient. maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the to me. shoulder. "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. woven round him. "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the meanly of me." shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was signal between you and your father? the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce of a light. made him keep the appointment." presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." "Not yet." "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I was not a bird to be seen there. "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." strong reason behind." there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but noting anything else of interest. "And I to find an enemy." "Will you go?" own family. light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. and that he would see to anything that turned up. By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" works. See paragraph 1.E below. shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." posted to-day." Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is is," said he presently: But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "And when will you call?" upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural