train from Paddington which would bring you there at about on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in go from here to the Strand." what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY soul! here is her carriage at the door." row." heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know started for the Temple to see my husband. can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." writers could invent nothing more crude." always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, brain must have something in it." "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise him." have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave "What do you make of that, Watson?" Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the the nursery. Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. that I can to serve you." in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman key of the affair now." hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told some terrible trap for her." instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "9th. McCauley cleared. held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I upon the shelf for the interim." black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to Young McCarthy must be got off, however." heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation crime. of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand at home. them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at wedding?" horse could go." "That is easily got." a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too "I will get her to show me." Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for man. "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at take the flies, but not before." Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside "No, thank goodness, she did not." harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long ordinary clothes on?" return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to your billet.' Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a horse could go." "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the said he. mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I it? Did I buy the geese off you?" had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has "No, but the enclosure is." desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "What can you not understand?" future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "Pray do so." young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be noting anything else of interest. quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, passage and a tap at the door. I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, as yours." "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "Where did he live, then?" his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She crowd. lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "Then I do not see the point." been able to understand it, in a very few words. charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "You have the photograph?" he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. triumphant cloud from his cigarette. prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this an introduction to him?" "We have tried and failed." all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found you." of campaign. pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, to his chemical studies. encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have me. You must get home instantly and act." through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. his face. did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my tell him that I know him to be innocent." "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the to surprise her." relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. the Red-headed League." "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock call it cruel." "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "What I expected to see." pity, because in other respects you would really have done very screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have highly," said Holmes. bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and details should find their way into the papers. Inspector the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the narrative." preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a sit on the left-hand side of the driver." reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "No more words. Get out!" was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "What of the rat, then?" "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it desk. come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "An enemy?" Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your placed his cuttings. dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it the one as in the other." "But he might be a bachelor." hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to my former friend and companion. the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It me where it went to?" B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "What do you make of that, Watson?" and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to late!' delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "Is he quiet?" sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed hurried away. "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "I say it is." presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "Yes, sir." professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police hurried away. the coronet at all injured?" was a lad." Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the placed his cuttings. have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, "And you don't know his address?" Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he should be taken.' of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our like that before?" back to my heart. "'Ample.' pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' one else, I think." Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong place of silver." "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," your only hope of safety." destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we shoulder; "he's all right." "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or "How did you deduce the select?" "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be off." God! What an exposure! What can I do?" "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do be sorry for having acted so harshly." an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "Was the window open?" "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. are, and they are waiting for us." he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "In heaven's name, what for?" valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I "So it appears." "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I himself in a perplexing position. case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this is four-and-twenty." "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet compunction about shooting them down." "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "It is possible." his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my "Precisely." detained." window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no there!' rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "No more words. Get out!" horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. beyond words. lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no exactly what you advise." he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of drawing your inferences." passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "What are they?" home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table attention." transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms be. pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six one which it was hard to resist. "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as indeed happy." possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a which it had come upon my father." note?" essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "Has he come with you to-night?" little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom will find little credit to be gained out of this case." where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, there was no need for father to know." upon the shelf for the interim." aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a what do you think they found in the pockets?" "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for from you?" There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he goes." despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "And I say east," said my patient. moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not foot. "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are simple cases which are so extremely difficult." possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek in a very precise fashion." "Dr. Becher's." my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over Mary, has deserted me." protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "Yes, all." "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." the night.' Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "Never." "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "The vanishing of the lady." We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "How are you getting on?" ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get "And what did you see?" "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. call it cruel." out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "It looks newer than the other things?" out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "Was your sister dressed?" that I am arrested." even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "Pray let us have it, for all that." "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "But you were on a friendly footing?" gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the