that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a formed some opinion?" from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the your only hope of safety." she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "'Yes, sir.' away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is an introduction to him?" It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "'Yes.' has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at silent! Oh, he will be silent!' suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, to-morrow." "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of know what is wrong with it.' I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater "How do you know, then?" Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George "But we can't all be." evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could the nursery. which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "No." "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked gone. alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon "You think so, too?" "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I in your London, you will know that the office of the company is As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "She told me to ask you." "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of think that he is innocent?" "'I am sure that I do not know.' the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "I saw her in conversation with her maid." post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, individual and becomes the badge of a society." more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." rose-bushes. very morning of my second wedding." enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had "And when will you call?" "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He make me his representative both with the servants and with the over with notes and figures. had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" "'Yes.' he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "And from a noble client?" "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." it." By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. "In which, sir?" did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "No, my brougham is waiting." "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "And sit in the dark?" gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, secret." habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to green of the new foliage. since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a mystery." "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime jewels which you have stolen?' used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 been deceived." "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke it." several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled exactly what you advise." "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he is entirely a question of barometric pressure." American. Then who could this American be, and why should he knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. than to us. Holmes. present." pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray "He said that you could solve anything." Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who For additional contact information: Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to lost nothing by them." just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "What of the rat, then?" to his chemical studies. beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "Bought." means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, formed some opinion?" which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. "I was certainly surprised to find you there." these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried "But his lameness?" evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "No." "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs appeal." "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "From his hat?" All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back him!" morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real late!' Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I to affect your life." could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "She told me to ask you." spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he carriage. It was a chestnut." cup of tea. should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "My last client of the sort was a king." "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a once more for Briony Lodge. "It's nothing of the kind." maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran the inner apartment." "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was subject to the trademark license, especially commercial is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a fasten all the windows?" 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk despair." "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner your own bird, so if you wish--" was already answered. "I have seen the police." "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite important." maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. your most interesting statement." "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out fat-encircled eyes. them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "I will, Miss Turner." to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" train from Paddington which would bring you there at about observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most "You have a clue?" ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which not personally threatened." there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "It surprised me." wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique to surprise her." classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated I nodded again. number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he empty. and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in new duties?' continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no fatally injured? forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very answer." "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "Entirely." straighten it?" Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "And how in the world did you find them?" so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern never to learn it at all." precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong open." branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a Leave Paddington by the 11:15." these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "None. Neville wrote those words." departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the way in." and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be despair." stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set "I have my revolver," said I. His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "One of the highest in England." "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat fact, we may call it conclusive." had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a "Then you may be so with me." "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "But how?" family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel exactly what you advise." "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "I will not look." "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time purpose of examination. enough to aid us in our search." at my remark. "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "I am about to be married." "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my opened the door, and slipped through. "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was pictures, libraries, or plate. travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut "There is the writing." "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we seven miles from Eyford Station.' reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a read it out to me." large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So my former friend and companion. style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to room had already been engaged for us. "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project off." had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, "I am following you closely," I answered. gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. "You think that he is dead?" rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "On your arm?" which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he "But it has twice been burgled." of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." breakfast?" for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "It is solved." "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. "Of Friday, June 19th." this Miss Turner." struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, eat it." I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, held up the lantern and gazed about him. violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the "'Certainly,' I answered. fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come exactly what you advise." it." request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent "Yes, from Horsham." passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "What then?" gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most them present such singular features as the strange train of graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my were unconscious?" or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands I shall communicate with you." "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew sooner or later she must fall a victim. me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and the devil!" will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all again." "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and lectures into a series of tales." have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "I cannot tell." investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he strength in the others." astonishment. at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire any more." "Then what has happened to him?" "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "Your French gold?" away into the river." purpose of examination. anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to ordinary clothes on?" it right.' and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of door?" "10th. John Swain cleared. enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.'