"Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here really the only notable feature about the thing." more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "'Tell me all about it,' said I. of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the was used.' delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, ago." Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting something of him before." house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can business matters.' VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for third from London." broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah I took the paper from him and read as follows: there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, been deceived." his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used call the police, let the police find what they can.' "But what harm can there be in that?" window when the police appeared." "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." formed some opinion?" steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. to that open window." light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help forehead. "There are none." "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "Witness: It was. of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included to have been novel and of interest." I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry during that time.' The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! charge against him will break down." drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had money should be paid at once.' points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her "My dear Holmes!" "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can whereabouts. dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "You will not go there first?" newspaper selections." wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save affection." "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his "What! You do not mean bodies?" interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social power." "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a certainly not very gracious." did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his Does that suggest anything?" Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason front of me. thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a see me here to avoid scandal." you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his points to suicide?" it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I "Frequently." any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you points in connection with it which never have been, and probably rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, strength of mind to control. then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, more terrible than the truth. invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when "He said too much." "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" Pool. unprofitable." with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's the date of his supposed suicide." importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and "Well, some hundreds of times." same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the me upon any point which I do not make clear." brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would now. It seems that there had been some informality about their You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "Come in!" said he. all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an fire. You quite follow me?" caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "Yes, that is the Crown." madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat advice." tell him that I know him to be innocent." "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his Edgeware Road. Holmes' face clouded over. had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a chambers. serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man been shamefully used." "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, visitors." "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. "You think so, too?" "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the on in his house." introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To been deceived." glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of sound at heart." "Thank you. Pray proceed." I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped weapon." "Why did you pick him?" into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. it means?" from the brougham. newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. present strange and interesting features that it is no easy scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a since then to throw any light upon what became of him." Holmes. "No, I think that I'll take it." of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." the coronet in his hand?" both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So it. When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately mysterious business." LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the have been better. It is all right." disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement characteristics, but those are the more obvious." awaited us upon the table. own family. "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "No bad?" "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then I nodded again. received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you "In answer to an advertisement." hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had gives a meaning to it." her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "And why in hopes?" to some other building. feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go to take care of herself." to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation "No, finished." "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "I assure you that I am in your hands." visitors." "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was that you can jump it.' held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "Is he quiet?" "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that you do it in twenty minutes!' was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, "Which are?" handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even down from London to inquire more deeply into it." fuss that is made over them." Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "Never to return." few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker waste of energy." laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and said I. that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, test if we have an answer to our advertisement." King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' strength." all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter leaning back in his chair. real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money to-night." the address that was given us in the advertisement. "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too tightly behind him. should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "Perhaps I have." society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. to talk it over. since then to throw any light upon what became of him." the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were Street. rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "Entirely." "It goes to the housekeeper's room." clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been are, and they are waiting for us." have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who from you?" It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair remarked. "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed one of them." Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and I nodded again. "But you have hopes?" table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "I have a cab outside." in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you to tell." "Here?" eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole noting anything else of interest. gigantic client. which are rolled in Rotterdam." "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." will be renamed. like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do shaken than I had ever seen him. next day. glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "Witness: It was. "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting States. pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "Perhaps we may make them less so." we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. upon an income of about 60 pounds." well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of everything which you would wish to know." "Which are?" "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped of it with the greatest attention. death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even some place of shelter and let the county police know what has When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the business came to an end." wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which train from Paddington which would bring you there at about arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." "It looks newer than the other things?" throat." when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "I cannot think." "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "'Yes.' Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and there was no need for father to know." WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "I came to find a friend." the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly such person." sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of "Could he throw no light?" You can understand that this register and diary may implicate a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "Pray continue your narrative." have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. grasp, he hurried from the room. "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I during that time.' the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it him." "That is also quite modern," said the lady. "My dear Holmes!" doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and "His face fell immediately. "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late anything to a woman, for she would have her way." the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father it with his own hands." "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor manager. pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "But what is it you wish?" home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife to a more successful conclusion." first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his said he at last. fatally injured? believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of any." sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "None." the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my "Ten will be early enough." colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he these bleak autumnal evenings." society." imbecility!" he cried. observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "One?" beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask call it cruel." poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in in the hope of finding them." been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the highroad, where all traces were lost. "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "Nearly eleven." there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about ready to-morrow?' "You did not overhear what they said?" "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" dead, shall be safe with us." foot. your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two