her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a more solid." need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know happened." "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "Witness: Nothing definite. What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. "One?" weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary "I will not look." opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "I was sure that I might rely on you." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. observed. I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was in darkness. of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "It is his hat." about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to is acting for the best. and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had never to learn it at all." It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the which are rolled in Rotterdam." "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "'Most admirably.' corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or interests were the same as his." brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. attention." "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the to you." the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. present." the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But which should have the effect of calling the attention of the I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? you in yours." here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn the room while you explain this matter?" tied." heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was conclusions. Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "The Coroner: What do you mean? some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address Young McCarthy must be got off, however." something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "Yes. He waved his hands." "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps to tell." arms and began to sob in a high treble key. have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "But the mystery?" story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I to have that photograph." "Not particularly." very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "It was a confession," I ejaculated. creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to from you?" "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what ventilator." it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "It surprised me." and glanced through. Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And "You think that he is dead?" these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to fluttered off among the others. twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "And how did you find out?" copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon Arthur Conan Doyle "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible Edgeware Road. ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." power." certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing have I gained?" their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down fire. You quite follow me?" it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp will he say when he returns?" address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal you do it in twenty minutes!' "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "And who is her maid?" accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a second." manager. "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the hurried by. in darkness. the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking "Come in!" said Holmes. been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left congratulate you again." It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and "And is that all?" year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this newspaper selections." where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town man. lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to meant it for the best. and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but present." rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a "Dirty?" to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up anything to do with the matter?" "May I see it?" "Why did you beat the pavement?" "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom suggested at once that there must be a communication between the might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the good for you to do.' total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "'Yes, sir.' But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave careless servant girl?" Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "Can I be of assistance?" noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "I don't say that. Perhaps." sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' observed. jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "But how?" staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "Stoke Moran?" said he. the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "I should wish to." "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "No good news?" sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a together. unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "We must have a cab." allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. "By no means." league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some "It is no ordinary one." It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "I know where it is." "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the said I. "That you are never beaten." "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had unkempt, staring out at me. you, my dear young lady?' "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "And I to find an enemy." "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we foot. determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote States. "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning deduce something from that?" highroad, where all traces were lost. fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much absolutely follow my advice in every respect." at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few she slowly sank and died without having recovered her aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another 11:15.' music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "Witness: I must still refuse. one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of again." usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove conceal it?" the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is "And why?" was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was the inner apartment." dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "Just look it up, then." very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I about. colour had been driven from his face. higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular been." entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which "'Certainly not. But why?' of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to The events in question occurred in the early days of my examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." Lestrade of Scotland Yard." Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "Then the page we have seen--" Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "VIOLET HUNTER." your own bird, so if you wish--" "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." this Miss Turner." my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting come either from the window or the door. My attention was work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few intimate personal affairs in this public manner." married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he next day. "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into call for it in person on Monday morning.' been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before the driver. chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "That sounds a little paradoxical." directors, with the result that you have seen." having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "Ha! you find it so?" house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "Dr. Becher's." bill, which interests me deeply." "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. sufficient punishment." you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "But what harm can there be in that?" research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I power." that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "Nearly eleven." While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were "Well, some hundreds of times." probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the straightened it out again. including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had singular points about the case. What did the police think of the few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with rooms." Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "We must have a cab." "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be opened the door, and slipped through. VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "From his hat?" discontent upon his features. had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "Yes." I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "But she could not love him." the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the promised to bring home. You want to know what became of those geese?" quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of examination of the premises, but without finding anything which His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw stalked out of the room. given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. perplexity from it to my illustrious client. Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector I think that I could be of assistance to you." much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, me what he had done with the three missing stones. we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest is worth.' should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. his face. "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over yourselves in at night?" my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "That was it, sir." into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I society." But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If "I will do it." "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, the coronet in his hand?" was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "I am armed." may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of Have you good authority for what you say?" "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you absorbing." "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house