hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is mysterious end." "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "Then, as to money?" black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "I will try. What is it?" "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away upon the white wrist. drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that could gather together that I was able to avert another public He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." stammered. "Where did you address your letters, then?" settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, orange pips. "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more residence of the great financier. "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that that you saw all that I did." platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed "At the wedding breakfast." "Has he come with you to-night?" called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he this remarkable episode. southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't away into the river." "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "Just look it up, then." "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is you." "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the there is a decided draught." Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my purpose equally well?" "We have tried and failed." "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "I assure you that I am in your hands." arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her excitement. could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to detective. "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my conduct the inquiry." dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had fluttered off among the others. come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." forecastle of an emigrant ship. "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. all that?" doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." into the room. forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "That is also quite modern," said the lady. fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not enter into my head. copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. handed it to him. four million human beings all jostling each other within the the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "But what will you do?" were wasted." "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally you do it in twenty minutes!' idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "'About the same.' his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not awkward doing business with an alias." opened the door, and slipped through. once more to my work. usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "What, then, did Peterson do?" arrested. You then--" which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the new duties?' low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came so.' present." corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, go--none." "Yes, at the mines." managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few a little more before I quite committed myself. planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began fact, we may call it conclusive." himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King maid will bring up your coffee." down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow of it with the greatest attention. The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "At the wedding breakfast." "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "'And the work?' parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have opened the door, and slipped through. the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the woven round him. acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in strong and stiff." however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell some terrible trap for her." that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand affection." lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to him and tried to hold him back. "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very the best of training." pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin the iron safe, which he closed upon it. Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' to-night." logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over "What then?" been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "A call for help, you thought?" The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." down. of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be despaired of." to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the sit on the left-hand side of the driver." the matter?" "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went get her out of the way." I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know politicians who had been sent down from the North. a little more before I quite committed myself. august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to I took the paper from him and read as follows: and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "No." Eyford." before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner "Can I be of assistance?" closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be had formerly been in part my own. convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our colour had been driven from his face. that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a green of the new foliage. His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "Nearly eleven." pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the to Leatherhead. have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up and I shall be with you presently." police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, "Will you bet, then?" he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some what is your own theory as to what took place?" about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, call for it in person on Monday morning.' abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "When did she vanish, then?" death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old papers must be those that are destroyed.' "Was the window open?" did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "And Irene Adler?" some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the legal crime." estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress and all of them with the keenest interest. "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "But how will you look?" with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the "Frequently." one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. present." were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two presented which may be striking and bizarre without being pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble your equipment. "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be Gutenberg-tm License. "But she will refuse." the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "No. What a strange idea!" the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is "Certainly, madam." hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "Stoke Moran?" said he. where she found matters as described by the last witness. really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked of a light. "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we Holmes' room. In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "'Quite sure, dad.' all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no were unconscious?" drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and standing smiling on the door-step. should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "Then how many are there?" "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the into the room. smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and "But I am all in the dark." quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "What do you mean?" grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "The knees of his trousers." here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that used to be." "By no means." real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting events than those which have happened in my own family." Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything always that they were such commands as a lady might with works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of shadow pass over his face as I spoke. which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "And Miss Sutherland?" "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some him and tried to hold him back. characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy drove away. "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "May I see it?" is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "Where, indeed?" "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since considering the formidable letters which were received by himself compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "I will not look." was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, "An accident, I presume?" way: what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and "Yes, sir." "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes of campaign. aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with have established a very serious case against the son of the and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "Your presence might be invaluable." revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "What will you do, then?" were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me most interesting one." I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, you in yours." from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not I think that I could be of assistance to you." himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "Then what has happened to him?" saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. that?' that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a