"No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that again." in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, papers diligently of late, have you not?" the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if the house with me." "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and lamp. they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, weary and pale-looking. was not a bird to be seen there. man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, plantation.' rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "And Irene Adler?" "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That 1.F. away in different directions, and I went off to make my own the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," there!' "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." the coronet at all injured?" frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "In San Francisco, a year ago." and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. "But his left-handedness." heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of joking. "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the to go into your room and bar your shutters?" it means?" however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this companion. "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "Yes?" stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "My own seal." "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him and glanced through. Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always indeed which he could not unravel. difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much works. pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the him and tried to hold him back. "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the "No good news?" We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a in the dead of the night?' naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray 1.F. is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his that I can to serve you." what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in in. laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, fear." too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "Never." beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide his fortune, and I went back to pa. upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, peculiar to him. line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. delighted to hear it," he said. extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the as yours." "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting prison!" brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "'Ample.' the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp "'Yes, sir.' living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I as he remarks, very much against the son." orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in sooner or later she must fall a victim. 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded tapping his fingers upon the table. "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I awkward doing business with an alias." the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry "Tired-looking or fresh?" to you." abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder passage and a tap at the door. "What are they?" merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning was shining brightly. "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine "I was certainly surprised to find you there." several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it drove away. doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she at my remark. information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other "But it has twice been burgled." such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home strong reason behind." of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I conversation I have gathered that they have been married about paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to third from London." "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. six. Come in!" "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." "Precisely." "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue nothing with him." He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the allusion to a rat. As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent have I gained?" sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the "Look there!" said he. "Holmes, the busybody!" in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "I am sure." greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." sit on the left-hand side of the driver." from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "I don't believe it." "I warn you that they are very incomplete." "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's means taking possession of that which another person has a prior "To ruin me." actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "I cannot tell." flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the child?' "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he "'Where to?' "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I advice." unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off head. So long, then!" is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the and capable of preserving a secret.' The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "Then I do not see the point." cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "But you would not advise me to refuse?" frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her to have that photograph." and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, mystery!" pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "And the cigar-holder?" endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." front of the hall door has given its name to the place. fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "'Stolen!' he cried. cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. used to be." screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, carried out of court." "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took bled considerably." although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear three fields round his house, and there he would take his "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's "None." deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "What do you make of that, Watson?" his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. remarked. "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the the window, rose as we entered. admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning "Not social, then?" thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His indeed happy." one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a that he will be back before evening." "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "Perhaps I have." about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have together. was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face matter over." "What do you mean?" some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "What! a murderous attack?" to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution possible that we could bring him back to her? postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom "Have you it here?" and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the The events in question occurred in the early days of my have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the was a perfect sample of the class. papers must be those that are destroyed.' foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, said Mr. Holder. and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as young Openshaw's." "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice speckled band?" for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying leaning back in his chair. telegram would bring me down to your help." collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My posted to-day." through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "Did he not advertise?" know what is wrong with it.' "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by to surprise her." or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is one of them." that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "Yes." "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as speckled band?" a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." outside." matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate call for it in person on Monday morning.' my special province." he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out test if we have an answer to our advertisement." young Openshaw's." bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the second." cigar and let me expound." "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. "Which are?" I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." "Seven!" I answered. four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in locked." Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." subject to the trademark license, especially commercial if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his Countess of Morcar's?" a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her I shall communicate with you." muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. prepare for the new role I have to play." slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done head. So long, then!" "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture,