"As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress in a very precise fashion." King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door must compliment you." not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would husband's writing, madam." theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. know what is wrong with it.' diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "'Yes, sir.' "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE way in." as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "Yes." into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger guilty parties." better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would residence of the great financier. you." scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "The Coroner: What do you mean? While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of weighed down with some great anxiety. that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no emerged. "I don't believe it." "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a to where he stood hid behind the curtain. better in every way that they should make their position a little "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. get her out of the way." "Entirely." "Just look it up, then." "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of detained." stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience his fortune, and I went back to pa. "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas this poor creature." sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at infinite languor in his face. wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the strength." something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick "I promise," said Holmes. explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "Yes." 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from if she died from some sudden fright." drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat page at http://pglaf.org "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. an introduction to him?" London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "Certainly." downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, "None." his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "Not particularly." hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has Street. appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should done what I asked you, Jones?" in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "What will you say?" "Of what?" a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "'A dozen yards or so.' "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, the address that was given us in the advertisement. right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a "The Cedars?" test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. just ask you whether you had heard it.' A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem to-morrow." problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the Countess of Morcar's?" charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather nights." impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of woven round him. connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." Have you good authority for what you say?" carriage. It was a chestnut." Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a way in everything. the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of "Here?" insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "But who is he?" on in his house." fat-encircled eyes. who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet my room." company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for lamp in his hand. "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and I held the little printed slip to the light. certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my "None." But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across troubles have been weighing upon his mind. reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be way in everything. awkward doing business with an alias." prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the evidence," I remarked. him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "What! You do not mean bodies?" said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." "'Not at all. I only doubt--' cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his occupations.' paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal lamp in his hand. McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is results." afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect occupations.' nothing with him." "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after I approached. "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my always that they were such commands as a lady might with leaning back in his chair. acted in my house last night?" "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any gives a meaning to it." clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss that I can to serve you." be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" vanished into the darkness. shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her Foundation lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known disappearance of the bride.'" wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich during which he might have communicated with his friend the said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "No, I think that I'll take it." Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." most interesting one." conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words my special province." public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a jewels which you have stolen?' that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been all?" gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be examination of the premises, but without finding anything which see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to "And on what day did he meet his death?" Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that problems help me to do so." Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to the south-west, I see." The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in call you and give you the chance." "'What do you call purely nominal?' "The King of Scandinavia." bird I ate is country bred." I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his closely." whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to States. bachelor.' are, I think, all that we need." number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." helping a boy to put up the shutters. waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud Lee, in the county of Kent." so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "And on what day did he meet his death?" be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was I was concerned in it." "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' people in all walks of life. "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat "My own seal." seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end him and tried to hold him back. Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution Holmes' face clouded over. "And for present expenses?" nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door present." on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His "Breckinridge is his name." http://www.gutenberg.net minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small of the way of danger. his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "'Where could I find him?' money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner sentimental considerations in the background which would induce Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, "'No, I know no one in these parts.' "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "Absolutely?" the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer room. right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. that he will be back before evening." "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "If so, much may have happened between." waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "You will not go there first?" and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat fat-encircled eyes. any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. placed his cuttings. "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me "And I say east," said my patient. Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the Sutherland?" in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps introspective fashion. "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs of your young ladies.' Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black was keenly on my guard against him. This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill the little opening for the ventilator is." other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, "I shall be delighted." one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but "You horrify me." "Who was the criminal, then?" which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided I am not easy in my mind about them." "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. kindly on the shoulder. "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, read it out to me." "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice tell him that I know him to be innocent." Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "You have compromised yourself seriously." other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous occurred." Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, of the one which your family is now devouring." state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which four million human beings all jostling each other within the Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I fact, we may call it conclusive." hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." bare slabs of marble. you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in upon the sideboard." deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an locked. solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some "Murdered?" McCarthy." Arthur Conan Doyle when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which like gravel from a pit.' got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. "Has he come with you to-night?" the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the retorted upon me, and I on you." "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I are, and they are waiting for us." grasp, he hurried from the room. horse could go." broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid "Her father is very rich?" investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "'Yes, it was gone.' Eyford at 11:15.' "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was fluttered off among the others. was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was "So I have heard." wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective I. "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "No sign of it?" pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. indeed which he could not unravel. been with you?" form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But