"It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "It is to him that this trophy belongs." clang of the bell. "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" next day. hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered "That was it, sir." look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. answered with a sidelong glance. Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring wedding?" "Witness: It was. Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a disappearance of the bride.'" this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "But what will you do?" comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and definite end. look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual residence of the great financier. also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my fatally injured? abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons you." should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" families. Now for the facts. "Well, some hundreds of times." had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded Eyford." appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." look dissatisfied." away to you." paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "'I have already given you my word.' pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What room had already been engaged for us. had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after is four-and-twenty." the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and I held the little printed slip to the light. Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a sooner or later she must fall a victim. people don't know." customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the miles off. be.' Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a forecastle of an emigrant ship. their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and situation." colour had been driven from his face. my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "The knees of his trousers." "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be pity, because in other respects you would really have done very came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. digesting their breakfasts at home." "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "And how have you succeeded?" train from Paddington which would bring you there at about the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his me. hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "Precisely." "Nothing." before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a Sholtos." the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. minor matters until to-morrow." after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the married her." a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the which was all perfectly true. Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure pressing in one house as in another. "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly This is what he says: it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." to take care of herself." unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the I held the little printed slip to the light. matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, characteristics, but those are the more obvious." member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant are windows in it, of course?" "Thank you. Pray proceed." bare slabs of marble. livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to tied." I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "No." "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was are windows in it, of course?" 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so points in connection with it which never have been, and probably Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was "Pray tell us what has happened to you." From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at pressing in one house as in another. caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited begin with, and I had not got mine yet." could go. "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which ago." "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into used to be." civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing "If I can be of use." "He is still with you, I presume?" He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an it with his own hands." present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. security.' Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added directors have had misgivings upon the subject." used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through page at http://pglaf.org through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "And leave your case unfinished?" "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my disappearance of these gems?" fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is his fortune, and I went back to pa. asked. outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "My private note-paper." have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open questionable one." my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "It's nothing of the kind." Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no "And your father? Did you tell him?" Dr. Gregory B. Newby outside." was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "The decline of his fortunes, then?" the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my this man was intellectual?" every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so was once confined in the cab my mission was practically handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. way: signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." of a light. interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the standing smiling on the door-step. "One horse?" interjected Holmes. house for five minutes.' He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, "And how did you verify them?" would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & even so self-evident a thing as that." neither fascinating nor artistic." helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "My dear Holmes!" severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, During two years I have had three consultations and one small may never be exposed to such a temptation." unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands carried out of court." "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "What is it?" one else, I think." it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before flock.' that he has suffered." "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work "But how could you guess what the motive was?" Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a should be taken.' of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the a room. about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. "Then I do not see the point." certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder "Well." taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an sparkled upon his finger. very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from experiences." friends, not even his own brother. Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "May I see it?" signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door dates and names. these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the minor matters until to-morrow." a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "No, I had a dozen." fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it intrusion of other matters." more solid." mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "It was an hour's good drive." his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time call you and give you the chance." The note was undated, and without either signature or address. pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary better in every way that they should make their position a little deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen over with notes and figures. of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general subject to the trademark license, especially commercial the tragedy. dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. possible that we could bring him back to her? sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white "Then the page we have seen--" done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to keep the flames under. "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has "My dear Holmes!" "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the individual and becomes the badge of a society." "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat observed. "How did that help you?" when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner brought there to personate someone, and the real person is company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "But to whom?" and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. there in twenty minutes." the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "And who is her maid?" "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. presented more singular features than that which was associated parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is key turn in the lock." and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the you in your example." look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to unprofitable." which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "Yes?" really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' closing the door. from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added of it with the greatest attention. Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, helping a boy to put up the shutters. and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "And Miss Sutherland?" "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. had picked up in the wood. there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady "And how did you verify them?" passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly questionable one." upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "'Certainly not.' future lives." o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while "'Where could I find him?' Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was families. Now for the facts. "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper "One horse?" interjected Holmes. my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature http://gutenberg.net/license). how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John legal crime." Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.'