provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there relation between them, and what the object of his repeated to-night's adventure." endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a again before evening." "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "And leave your case unfinished?" down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair conduct the inquiry." "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw attention." face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high Where does the thing come from?' 1.E.9. whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." matter over." corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I if only as a check to my own memory." drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for himself. "Nothing?" lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or eavesdroppers?' suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was I shall continue with my miserable story. the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "Has he come with you to-night?" corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many answer." claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real closing the door. "How on earth--" disturbance in my wife." I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." place, I think that there is good ground to think that the hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united the tragedy. morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in Arthur Conan Doyle distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden in one or two places in England?' "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away guilty one." "What, then, did Peterson do?" I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" in this way: "'You doubt its value?' he asked. all-comprehensive glances. There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "Very truly yours, place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "'Certainly not.' you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in and shall probably return to London by the evening train." beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "Was she in good spirits?" noble correspondent could be. in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his to-morrow." "Ah!" my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been Project Gutenberg-tm works. your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." stammered. "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the direction." slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek points to suicide?" estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then humiliation." word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "What will you say?" was it brought him the coronet? middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, instincts rose up against that laugh. the very letters. But what is this written above them?' printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "'Never,' said I. Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was observed. of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who she slowly sank and died without having recovered her the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he less than 26s. 4d. "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "To an end?" still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near test if we have an answer to our advertisement." he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become answer." does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm details." late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been asked with his eyes open. resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "What shall I do?" stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "I cannot imagine." "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and is so. I know all about McCarthy." what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless him and tried to hold him back. I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a from you?" She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite "This photograph!" presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been "But she will refuse." the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point "My private note-paper." "I would pay ten." self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such you came in." rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we less than 26s. 4d. "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "But to whom?" doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the spare." "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform 11:15.' morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One you found me to-night--and running through the front room she "And when will you call?" deduce something from that?" that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been Street. vault. that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you quickly through a disagreeable task. He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "Nothing." could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "To ruin me." you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself soul! here is her carriage at the door." Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all she slowly sank and died without having recovered her he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "I don't believe it." I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. colour had been driven from his face. "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "And that is--" answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his where she found matters as described by the last witness. which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. noting anything else of interest. half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "So I heard. You have him here?" said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of was used.' states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. to-night's adventure." "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of my room." standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now "What shall I do?" beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no locked. Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped problems help me to do so." "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "Two days later this same performance was gone through under lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "10th. John Swain cleared. to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "At half-wages, in fact." As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round "We must have a cab." "Here?" "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "No, finished." my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it "No. His orders were to stay in the house." the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by Munro.' introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in tightly behind him. to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." Literary Archive Foundation the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "No, finished." "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. lamp in his hand. "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that unkempt, staring out at me. heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can had picked up in the wood. himself to hunt down. Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my "Oh, the cause is excellent!" than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of to-night?' have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the suspect him." they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the "Yes, sir." was the fact that his father should, according to his account, ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter "Yes." what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were "And you can do nothing until then?" other, as fresh and trim as possible. to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old good-night and bustled off upon her way. turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "I cannot as yet see any connection." to a more successful conclusion." at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the "Perhaps we may make them less so." the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, gentleman's clothes. Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless Foundation "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "And now?" I asked. knowledge of the world." was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "Never to return." THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE not personally threatened." order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left several quiet little villages up there." "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to "What office?" "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, rat could hardly pass through." as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several that you wished to speak to me?' "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which chambers. London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the Heh?' there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "I cannot imagine." have been better. It is all right." "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled the one as in the other." Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted returning from some small jollification and was making his way said he. girl said." adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in danger is over." took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond "You have but to name it." "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official "And what did you learn from him?" I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it she might be summoned. indeed happy." "Where to?" not personally threatened." is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love without success. At last the little money which I had saved began three of the beryls in it, was missing. eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. danger is over." paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it humiliation." depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a