the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and intrusion of other matters." I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case discontent upon his features. every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I it? Did I buy the geese off you?" to Leatherhead. death." Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out any." I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "I shall be delighted." frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in joking. repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "Thank you. Pray proceed." "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." to where he stood hid behind the curtain. brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these all-comprehensive glances. about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this up this clue while it is still hot." Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he heavily into it. insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution them?" combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, "'Is purely nominal.' footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing just called myself is not exactly my own." and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a Pope's Court. even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See you, my dear young lady?' was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "But she could not love him." and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to indiscretion." matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I comes from the middle window." heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were John Swain, of St. Augustine. morning." "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "What can you not understand?" valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will showing my impatience. a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "Which are?" depend upon my doing so.' devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, back to my heart. one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "We have tried and failed." "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the bled considerably." had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." were unconscious?" across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good Young McCarthy must be got off, however." them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "It came here." "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "Well." hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how ourselves in the office." making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had fishes. have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "I know where it is." Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and the inner apartment." just ask you whether you had heard it.' astonishment. over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, are, and they are waiting for us." such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, congenial hunt. traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' Have you good authority for what you say?" "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "'I am sure that I do not know.' Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, was keenly on my guard against him. certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "What have you to say now?" considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't several quiet little villages up there." satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by it were putty." as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would do.' "Her father is very rich?" "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "Witness: I must still refuse. steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good with her." "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I right! Sit down and let us talk it over." laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, might have a private word with us. grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my not as remarkable as your advertisement." anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "But who is he?" "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a "And who is her maid?" Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" whether it answered to the description of any of their astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "But I am all in the dark." responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her "And I." "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael stepfather?" an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There bachelor.' it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "And it is--" "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger whether it answered to the description of any of their "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the as he folded up the epistle. silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped is now desirous of getting those letters back." "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I his wife has ceased to love him." to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, which are rolled in Rotterdam." "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began his wife has ceased to love him." down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have think you a quite exceptional woman." The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, indeed happy." "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "But how?" upon an income of about 60 pounds." like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do swore that no one else had been in the front room during the to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from and effective." somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his formed some opinion?" been shamefully used." lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, the warnings." quickly through a disagreeable task. circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even as the one I chose?' society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in "My dear Holmes!" "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss eat it." claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and learned something! Where are the gems?" why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he acquaintance?" "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "I cannot imagine." process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets writing, and yet I know it well." applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was exactly what you advise." the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, public press." "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she conduct the inquiry." recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out death." "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you for and were ordered to this address. waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual chemical work which was so dear to him. last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at said he. took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be "I think that it is very probable." cost them two and thirty pounds." see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "There are none." Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, The King stared at him in amazement. Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment affair. centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no "No good news?" his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. him and tried to hold him back. facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business Have you good authority for what you say?" "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "'Tell me all about it,' said I. As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "That you are never beaten." "It is a murder, then?" extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him orange pips. of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away voice. of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The been able to understand it, in a very few words. It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "But what is it you wish?" serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets Street. then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "I have seen the police." "Oh, yes, easily." had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good we went to search for him, face downward in a little ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran a very grave face. beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this to-morrow." relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "Then, as to money?" forecastle of an emigrant ship. My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the "But not more so than I to find you." that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers "Which are?" of them has the shutters up.' stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly been lifted and conveyed somewhere." between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," "And what then?" like gravel from a pit.' course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I "No. What a strange idea!" "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "And why?" "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no "I am in hopes that she does." husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the them?" noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "None." 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after again before evening." and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm chemical work which was so dear to him. "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" forecastle of an emigrant ship. only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into him, that man would not have given me such complete information observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. asked. bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. generous with you in money matters.' matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we noting anything else of interest. Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The