the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. acquaintance?" that sit on the left-hand side of the driver." Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "No, I think that I'll take it." lamp in his hand. broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to perplexity from it to my illustrious client. perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and strength of mind to control. hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" over with notes and figures. his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three could not have written that. It is the German who is so and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been of receipt of the work. money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. were wasted." stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an joking. "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be here." "Yes, they were peculiar boots." brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of The telegram which we eventually received came late one night "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, notes," he said. upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "It is solved." A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No not come at once?" and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we along the entire front of the house, with three long windows light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "And Irene Adler?" test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless who was a member of your goose club." that?' it." of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "I cannot think." yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the character. down from London to inquire more deeply into it." uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has she might be summoned. cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that the morning and make my own way in the world.' his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "Perhaps I have." the date of his supposed suicide." door?" "Why did you beat the pavement?" his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys had formerly been in part my own. freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been "The doctor?" little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "Bought." "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little o'clock is it?" whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "What, then?" say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "What is it?" eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." to a light-house. nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here was used.' Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. knowledge of the world." down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But that I am arrested." had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "No." her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "Because he was handy and would come cheap." It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch and the whole place is in a blaze." bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "How are you getting on?" looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the written. "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. was a lad." she to prove their authenticity?" 11:15.' Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small "'Tell me all about it,' said I. anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "Well, but China?" the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The should be so warm over such a trifle." "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "And is that all?" the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to "But you can know nothing of this?" furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it with the outside air!" "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and http://gutenberg.net/license). son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project "You will not go there first?" "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest this remarkable episode. servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its not use it unless it is absolutely needed." Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." closing the door. the side-table." clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, very peculiar words of the dying woman?" He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one "It is very kind of you." "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of Surrey." something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was do you make of it all?" large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a criminal. We have already had experience of such." of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he and no precautions can guard against." furiously. painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is your equipment. "I cannot say that I have." brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. cause to be." remarked. think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the his face. years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "That was it, sir." Holmes' thin, eager face. case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, "Why did you beat the pavement?" introspective fashion. from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I time." wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. will take you up to see the machine.' "Yes, I have one waiting." "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way happened." the very letters. But what is this written above them?' grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you companion. emerged. closing the door. "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper place of silver." Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been the driver. she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just perplexity from it to my illustrious client. imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and charge against him will break down." endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal a very grave face. "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the never to learn it at all." the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My newspaper selections." too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into the ceiling. anything to a woman, for she would have her way." however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to stammered. address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, people in all walks of life. "What, then, did Peterson do?" finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "No sign of it?" "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. the bottom.' "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were eat it." was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at that I am arrested." other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much populous neighbourhood." you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the upon the shelf for the interim." Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. always that they were such commands as a lady might with sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess or in danger--" "What then?" now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously dead, shall be safe with us." "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, people in all walks of life. "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "It missed him, then?" "But the mystery?" We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant appeal." say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to "It must be recovered." These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He colour had been driven from his face. Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight For additional contact information: have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some begun to whiten, even as mine has." that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this room. "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "But to whom?" contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the strong and stiff." downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you "BALLARAT." the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "Do you know him?" paper in the air. lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "To an English lawyer named Norton." how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may "Well, some hundreds of times." o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your said he at last. Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "'Certainly not.' "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a drawing your inferences." have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "Indeed! Whose, then?" unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" all?" have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so fatally injured? because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "Oh, the cause is excellent!" weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "Certainly, madam." giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. arms and began to sob in a high treble key. McCarthy." squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, again before evening." eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But chance." dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him within hail.' cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "Yes." them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window forebodings. as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of