matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where towards the blaze. light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there murdered man." know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this appeal." "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign interests were the same as his." them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' the room while you explain this matter?" to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to shaken than I had ever seen him. utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman For additional contact information: silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire if she died from some sudden fright." eat it." you give your casting vote to?" broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper children over to America with him, so that I found myself without got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the then?" "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. place of silver." vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every "Quite so." which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope point in the dark hollow of his hand. him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary sit on the left-hand side of the driver." ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, "One of the highest in England." company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." begin with, and I had not got mine yet." remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no affection." have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the papers must be those that are destroyed.' overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. "None." also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the and prosperity to your house. Good-night." notes," he said. "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "Nor running a chance of arrest?" even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "But I have heard all that you have heard." considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from married her." some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these "By train from Waterloo." congratulate you again." "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "Why? What do you mean?" recover the gem." "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang served to weaken the effect. freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been "The Cedars?" "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "And Irene Adler?" There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited annoyance, but no jest. outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a McCarthy's innocence. Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the "'Where to?' Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "Won't it ring?" problems help me to do so." on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. seen the man in the road." "At the wedding breakfast." Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four carried out of court." "How did you deduce the select?" than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the Street. along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out man. weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep noble correspondent could be. "No, I think that I'll take it." little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her place, I think that there is good ground to think that the nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to prisoner's face. you found me to-night--and running through the front room she "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous hour?' routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for the general public were present, then?" at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, later, upon the night of May 2nd." he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came wedding?" chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, ashen face. same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the I. father's young wife. brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told get the tickets." given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should of the way of danger. one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am "Yes, certainly." "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at shall not find me ungrateful." "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the you." Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The because she had spent so short a time in this country that she that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the Pope's Court, Fleet Street." hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "I promise," said Holmes. man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin of this gang." the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that had formerly been in part my own. of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to certainly do as you advise." the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and footfalls from the street. he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "'And what are they worth?' I asked. were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two notes," he said. Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" man. similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. your room." list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, passage and a tap at the door. "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. the address that was given us in the advertisement. high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "Deserted you?" through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year was a lad." evidence," I remarked. "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would Sutherland. "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of to a more successful conclusion." vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. and wait." which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of fish-monger and a tide-waiter." of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the are, and they are waiting for us." I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her the coronet at all injured?" dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and on re-entering her father's house?" "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included "ARAT," I read. "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be "You have compromised yourself seriously." over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke from the brougham. purpose of examination. upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "Eh? What was that?" my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at made him keep the appointment." with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do "But you can know nothing of this?" man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were a monotonous occupation." was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of was used.' money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or the running down." hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, open." "I will try. What is it?" afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was The summons was a brief and urgent one. "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she shall use the carriage to-night." "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an points to suicide?" God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son questioning and rather startled gaze. to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "How on earth--" framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. Sutherland?" "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, Literary Archive Foundation look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that system of imprisonment?" the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could little trying to do so much typewriting?" lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "What then?" I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that other lovers by making love himself." "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "You did not overhear what they said?" wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the it." approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full cheerful." been with you?" respectable self." traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She already been minutely examined." "Whose house is it?" with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "I assure you that I am in your hands." this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on feature." he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. prepare for the new role I have to play." "Thank you. Pray proceed." I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance "It is half-past ten now." been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her "Who by?" pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "ARAT," I read. envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the followed. safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the "It's nothing of the kind." get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend it? Did I buy the geese off you?" week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "What can you not understand?" "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' bled considerably." the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "Then you may entirely rely on me." there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny "May I see it?" much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "I would pay ten." studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "But it has twice been burgled." Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and salesman. have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "But it has twice been burgled." arms and began to sob in a high treble key. of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all good for you to do.' the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you the loss of it. "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. envelope. "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held matter over." railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his the Assizes." of his shoulders. that he will be back before evening." all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power