if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was do you make of it all?" entirely lost his self-respect." "A call for help, you thought?" "No." frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is chair. "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "Yes, from Horsham." papers on the sundial.'" "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the absorbing." and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your tension within him. to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." James Windibank. Voilà tout!" has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "Perfectly so." my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled such attractions and accomplishments?' however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "That is not always so easy." thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with the room while you explain this matter?" It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, questioning and rather startled gaze. so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "On your arm?" "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from article?" was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though dead, shall be safe with us." Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the know that the truth is known." "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I fatally injured? to-night?" I asked. "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and "'Most admirably.' it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was it." deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in it. newspaper selections." point in the dark hollow of his hand. the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no side. watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and you." were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, bill, which interests me deeply." be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain about. Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without you." this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our "'I shall certainly be there.' will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." "Thank you. Pray proceed." "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he papers on the sundial.'" breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "I never have." opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's "What then?" on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." orange pips. copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are "And how did he make his money?" has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was to-night's adventure." "Certainly." Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among rat could hardly pass through." fire. You quite follow me?" appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that even of instruction." in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus voice, changing her seat as requested. had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about is," said he presently: would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the villagers almost as much as their master. no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. questionable one." he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "She walked into the breakfast-room." gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door your room." quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of everything which you would wish to know." gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single politicians who had been sent down from the North. Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, the dangers which encompass me." rooms." ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, breakfast?" nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third outside. in your London, you will know that the office of the company is "That you are never beaten." astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked of receipt of the work. "VIOLET HUNTER." should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "Perhaps we may make them less so." at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at The note was undated, and without either signature or address. 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith the date of his supposed suicide." her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and said he, "my real name is James Ryder." the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my situation." "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "You know me, then?" considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. "But of what society?" "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "They are typewritten," I remarked. and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" trying to your nerves." face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a remarked. persecution?" would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of spark where all is dark to me." the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes Mary, has deserted me." she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "'Very good.' brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could hurried away. foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you "So it appears." of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big if only as a check to my own memory." morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "Yes." with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "No. What a strange idea!" more terrible than the truth. ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he redistribution. scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for "'Very good.' "No, my brougham is waiting." but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR invisible to me," I remarked. practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the "She told me to ask you." "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us events, Mr. Windibank!" of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than sentimental considerations in the background which would induce Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis husband's writing, madam." baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of was a perfect sample of the class. floor. and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his a very grave face. he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother again on its way. "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know joking. but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than wedding?" reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your you?' and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. Surrey." with her." brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all the morning and make my own way in the world.' consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter I shall continue with my miserable story. Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we might help us?" the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well "I never have." I shall communicate with you." "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said read over the extraordinary announcement. pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a lost nothing by them." but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I night.' said he. The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran to-morrow." have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, annoyance, but no jest. used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "I was mad--insane." in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." Surrey." There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for anything to do with the matter?" unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "But you have hopes?" original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his "So I am. Very much so." "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "I will try. What is it?" a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that morning." "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." there." "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first "The gentleman I describe." its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw his eyes and forehead. Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as confronted him. "No?" a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "No, I had a dozen." sofa. This way, please!" "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "At the wedding breakfast." down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see she used." Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at most interesting one." We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point bedroom door." Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a were new raised from a basin. It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally "Yes, he did." scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which stalked out of the room. could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge "Awake, Watson?" he asked. hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to minor matters until to-morrow." "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting "Here?" "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and "One of his hands." a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in