Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you Mary, has deserted me." three fields round his house, and there he would take his "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." made his money." glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." colonel looking down at me. speckled band?" the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "Precisely." tightly behind him. "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the http://www.gutenberg.net least a most suspicious remark." comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "I promise," said Holmes. "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his the room while you explain this matter?" suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where looking up at the numbers of the houses." had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "And sit in the dark?" "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "You have carte blanche." 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed because she had spent so short a time in this country that she at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." in one or two places in England?' half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" and I shall be with you presently." feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his Clair, of Lee." mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "It is solved." "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more Sholtos." burst into a hearty fit of laughter. if I call to-morrow?" as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was "May I see it?" inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else "My photograph." "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better "The rest you will leave in our hands." and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting events than those which have happened in my own family." always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, "I cannot as yet see any connection." has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate characteristics, but those are the more obvious." not personally threatened." tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." "'Yes, sir.' His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came Holmes. "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "But the mystery?" the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to in a friendly supper." the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't success. and glanced through. deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "I don't say that. Perhaps." likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, triumphant cloud from his cigarette. said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said outside. chamber." figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first correct than the official force." sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power "And I." in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a whether it answered to the description of any of their Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed you for a few hours?" in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is overpowering excitement and concern. the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. could gather together that I was able to avert another public our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "Yes, certainly." so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you back into the street. sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other could gather together that I was able to avert another public landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your and the whole place is in a blaze." eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the back into the street. is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "'And what are they worth?' I asked. began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "You were travelling in the States?" was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at fled together." multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his the south-west, I see." was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of showing my impatience. "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress case-book, which he consulted. "No, distinctly professional." the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "'You doubt its value?' he asked. beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his then?" 1.E.9. though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless matter." for the market.' "Entirely." across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and have an American origin." object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, that threaten you." 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a morning." "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited highroad, where all traces were lost. conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. ventilator." "I see many objections to any such theory." a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "'Never.' God! What an exposure! What can I do?" stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the depend upon your compliance." affection." answer." astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that "Was the window open?" the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, sound at heart." usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove Leadenhall Street--and--" the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "'Is purely nominal.' the so-precious time, but come!' "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come "Yes, they were peculiar boots." The telegram which we eventually received came late one night connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "The landlord of the Alpha." "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "It's nothing of the kind." "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. sit on the left-hand side of the driver." rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "Yesterday." will take you up to see the machine.' "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local Does that suggest anything?" of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, done what I asked you, Jones?" of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" silent! Oh, he will be silent!' eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not yards of it?' Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, gone. "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." and a shock of very red hair. "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the "I beg pardon." "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, the night.' should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to maid will bring up your coffee." the coronet in his hand?" eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora fish-monger and a tide-waiter." dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "Will you bet, then?" thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but other means.' "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "I am sure." "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said was a loud and authoritative tap. to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman "What! You do not mean bodies?" St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the voice. and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have for its centre. cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in once more. ways including including checks, online payments and credit card all-comprehensive glances. enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I how narrow had been my escape. together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the Sholtos." I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "And for present expenses?" the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come returned to France?" is," said he presently: pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, their singular warning or token before them when starting upon "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." crackling voice. there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always noting anything else of interest. maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet Where does the thing come from?' "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "How did he come?" "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old pressing in one house as in another. of his shoulders. "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to amused." "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. distance from the station, and there we found the young lady the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She them?" his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock we went to search for him, face downward in a little "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely I nodded to show that I had heard. civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "It must be recovered." Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a me. You must get home instantly and act." thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My as noiselessly as she had come. Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. "Oh, yes, easily." "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions "From his hat?" through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "Very much so." down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this this truth that in these little records of our cases which you real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." prove to be little relation between the different incidents of snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "How are you getting on?" "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." one or two very singular points about this room. For example, Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "No." "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest think you a quite exceptional woman." question," said Holmes, smiling. "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his was keenly on my guard against him. gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets "BALLARAT." that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment who was a member of your goose club." Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the prisoner's face. The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me upon the sideboard." that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess said I. I have it here in my museum." wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, one's self under obligations.' step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his him. hour." "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds emerged. Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is "Then you may be so with me." "It missed him, then?" in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San him nearly every evening." "I shall see you at Horsham, then?"