be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "But I am all in the dark." thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "We must have a cab." slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked Sholtos." and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps awkward doing business with an alias." possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. would then never go into court at all." "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his You can understand that this register and diary may implicate Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you lamp in his hand. "No good news?" the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does the nursery. note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a be there in time for your coming." a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always danger is over." the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards your sleep?' "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is keep the flames under. "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, "Certainly." exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." the Assizes." office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming peculiar to him. Clair, of Lee." Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was opened a pocket-book and took out a note. if only as a check to my own memory." said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by has little to do with my story." "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at were unconscious?" "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall he. man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "I think that I had better go, Holmes." long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "It was a confession," I ejaculated. something of him before." (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and away in different directions, and I went off to make my own the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy III. the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "Perhaps we may make them less so." 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." do." sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my directly by questioning you." electronic works lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where during which he might have communicated with his friend the pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" forbidden door. depend upon my doing so.' even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See States. Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. "None." ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "'Entirely.' "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is to affect your life." every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a highroad, where all traces were lost. with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in your only hope of safety." the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him conclusions. "What can it mean?" I gasped. surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical have an American origin." the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs I was concerned in it." unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "'And the work?' "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending straighten it?" fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the with you alone." instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to client, rising. "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious careless servant girl?" Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. allusion to a rat. there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these papers on the sundial.'" "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her cigars in their mouths. together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into purpose of examination. "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between undoubtedly my uncle's." that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the putting in the horse. "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg my room." had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "No legal papers or certificates?" took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of nice household for a young lady." "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would "I would give my fortune to have them back." "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done the stable lane now." '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were to me. lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to forbidden door. "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his ways including including checks, online payments and credit card Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "What! Had he lost his wife?" their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses read it out to me." few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "'Oh, no.' these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it mysterious business." left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my question. copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his which our visitor detailed to us. "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "My stepfather's business papers." and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was washing it down with a long draught of water. Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive people in all walks of life. putting in the horse. for and were ordered to this address. unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "'It is locked up,' I answered. my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, "It goes to the housekeeper's room." fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "In heaven's name, what for?" kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "My Mary? Impossible!" seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have "How about poison?" coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was your most interesting statement." my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "'You cannot say what it was?' in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the "Yes." I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his "Pray continue your narrative." work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & been shamefully used." "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed "That you are never beaten." should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of "'I shall certainly be there.' though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say returning from some small jollification and was making his way when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, The telegram which we eventually received came late one night train from Paddington which would bring you there at about "Perhaps I have." editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands ways of our fellow-men." that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the handed it to him. the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, which are rolled in Rotterdam." pictures, libraries, or plate. a little more before I quite committed myself. "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, be best to do. the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "'Is 4 pounds a week.' having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided directors have had misgivings upon the subject." question you as to those details which seem to me to be most shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the fasten all the windows?" a few minutes he said that it would be all right. States. thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" questioning and rather startled gaze. which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to "'Quite sure, dad.' read over the extraordinary announcement. since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in "No, my brougham is waiting." "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he entirely lost his self-respect." it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. a very grave face. "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "My dear Holmes!" entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an was lame." his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest The summons was a brief and urgent one. "This concluded the examination of the witness." overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran it were putty." Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did "Nothing." your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it crime. marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official papers on the sundial.'" zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest helping a boy to put up the shutters. helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "Tired-looking or fresh?" "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. been with you?" have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now few hundred pounds.' my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might "Perhaps I have." array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "What shall I do?" be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "In the cells." the matter." away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very prison!" "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "And it is--" "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "You are certainly joking, Holmes." saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the seen the man in the road." despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." own family. hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "The Cedars?" to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was "A client, then?" "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards ventilator." "Pray do so." each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. "It is true that I have been generally successful." showing my impatience. The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "I think that I had better go, Holmes." "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is the devil!" you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had