and the church but not where the lady lived." the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the suddenly upon us." time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "He said that you could solve anything." on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "Eh? What was that?" and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. "'A dozen yards or so.' strode off upon his way. presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "No sign of it?" been lifted and conveyed somewhere." introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! "How are you getting on?" "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated "You saw the ventilator, too?" Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest suddenly upon us." immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the success. violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if mysterious business." all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to see me here to avoid scandal." sooner or later she must fall a victim. and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' security.' "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." "Where did he live, then?" on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "Why, what do you mean?" does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "This photograph!" The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he the coronet in his hands?" "I am following you closely," I answered. the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "You have but to name it." been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have had a long day." "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' the tragedy. province." of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." grasp, he hurried from the room. dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do door?" however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "No." to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "Two days later this same performance was gone through under satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, fat-encircled eyes. off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This stammered. "'You cannot say what it was?' him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face suspect him." was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been "Perfectly so." knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out gone. here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure events, Mr. Windibank!" done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "The best possible." reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would your troubles." a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me the iron safe, which he closed upon it. left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by plantation.' "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. "But how could you guess what the motive was?" arms and began to sob in a high treble key. nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "Nothing." corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "Quite so. She has her freedom." "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple papers." across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly thin, with a long, sharp nose?" whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from dates and names. voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he it? Did I buy the geese off you?" clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew ventilator." quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to as he folded up the epistle. week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes said I. "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of Lee, in the county of Kent." left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "'And what are they worth?' I asked. "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a to a light-house. any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "You forget that I know nothing about it." good for you to do.' notes," he said. sufficient punishment." pictures, libraries, or plate. loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and with you alone." stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project it? Did I buy the geese off you?" "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project go from here to the Strand." and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that your room." Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing "We were both in the photograph." "And now?" I asked. which should have the effect of calling the attention of the attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "'Certainly not.' "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for disappearance of the bride.'" retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a you give your casting vote to?" "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been "I have hopes." set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" if she died from some sudden fright." "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, "Were they all fastened this morning?" analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO happened." donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening more solid." low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, she used." railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low use an arc-and-compass breastpin." We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' could not have written that. It is the German who is so black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the about here speaks of his kindness to him." As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "Have you her photograph?" hurried by. "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite man. I know him from the photograph." inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to hour." understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I nothing of it?" quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "Your French gold?" had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face events, Mr. Windibank!" clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" very peculiar words of the dying woman?" companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "My photograph." "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "So it appears." for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "A greater distance to travel." month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered "Holmes, the busybody!" at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. situation." charged with?" "My own seal." Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, "And why in hopes?" from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, to me. there." tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite had died away into the silence from which it rose. yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which there has been an enclosure here!" "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "Then I shall certainly come." address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless strong reason behind." was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the of the efforts of the United States government and of the better half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, leaning back in his chair. The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "The doctor?" but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll tied." "You have but to name it." effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to allusion to a rat. Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me returning from some small jollification and was making his way and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his yourselves in at night?" myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We "Nothing." galvanised. she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. to-night?" I asked. "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." became a certainty. there has been an enclosure here!" There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "You forget that I know nothing about it." "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. presented which may be striking and bizarre without being was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be His name is Francis Prosper." present." "Dr. Becher's." undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her I shall continue with my miserable story. now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "It is possible." get the tickets." I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered is," said he presently: which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "Pray continue your narrative." saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of me. figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. purpose equally well?" Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "But how will you look?" "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap.