"But the letter had also a greater distance to come." at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps "A client, then?" newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in acquaintance?" a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their weary and pale-looking. concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her opened a pocket-book and took out a note. home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' it. "I cannot tell." Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is details." "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." seen the man in the road." located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical "Frequently." sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. "I am about to be married." thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of bird I ate is country bred." course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me crowd. "Which are?" "I was afraid that you were engaged." matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant you want, then?' and a shock of very red hair. set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he had died away into the silence from which it rose. untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an confronted him. to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot conversation I have gathered that they have been married about assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it weapon." the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at least a fellow-countryman. an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door you in yours." Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "But I am all in the dark." saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first not personally threatened." point our research must commence, and we will begin it by weighed down with some great anxiety. "Yes, certainly." whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you behind me. "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. when you have done it." "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two again before evening." particular state visit http://pglaf.org Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "No?" were wasted." honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a lamp in his hand. and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon me where it went to?" "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "What are they?" "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "But of what society?" other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I at once, for I have only half an hour." however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." the stones. Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." the inner apartment." air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "And how did you verify them?" perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not than was visible to me." overpowering excitement and concern. "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King fattened it expressly for you.' Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. better grown goose." married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "My photograph." through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "I answered that I had not. quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the arrested. You then--" himself to hunt down. "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past Street. robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have look upon these things in a different way." "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the "Then what has happened to him?" jewels which you have stolen?' occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "In heaven's name, what for?" decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me it." free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with "Game for a morning drive?" with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It that I am arrested." "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like had died away into the silence from which it rose. "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most crackling voice. handed it to him. "Could he throw no light?" "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must be.' standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "I was certainly surprised to find you there." us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. society." I took the paper from him and read as follows: the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the directly by questioning you." "Absolutely?" out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that troubles have been weighing upon his mind. overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying was not a bird to be seen there. appeal." observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very like gravel from a pit.' "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible wife's character?" upon the white wrist. "Who by?" attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." ourselves in the office." world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely as noiselessly as she had come. importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person "Yes." "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" bachelor.' attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination will he say when he returns?" "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the kindly on the shoulder. would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the with frightened eyes at his accuser. conduct the inquiry." with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird just called myself is not exactly my own." "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." your sleep?' problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while brain must have something in it." suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of British peeress.'" the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your mystery." in this note: in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and what I may call a really hard day's work." misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "You saw the ventilator, too?" to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez father's young wife. yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed page at http://pglaf.org bears upon the case?" Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "Where, indeed?" events, Mr. Windibank!" doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the these bleak autumnal evenings." fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a present strange and interesting features that it is no easy terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or once more to my work. hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or second window is the one that I jumped from." suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." said he at last. over here." particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "Did he not advertise?" to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already himself to hunt down. "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered you?" little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come stammered. shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a "Game for a morning drive?" I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic crowd. "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be matter." if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "'Then let me do so?' "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from down in his armchair and closing his eyes. that you wished to speak to me?' which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so better grown goose." lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to astonishment. from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "She told me to ask you." Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to hour." The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you the best of training." "And sit in the dark?" "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "I have a cab outside." the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and "None. Neville wrote those words." "Absolutely none." much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "How did that help you?" it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears daring than any effort of the imagination." no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and will take you up to see the machine.' labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has closing the door. "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "Stolen." "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "It is very kind of you." in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "I would pay ten." used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of "'Entirely.' rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "Not him." "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he place of silver." beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His you in yours." events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office