me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "Won't it ring?" possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. yourselves in at night?" put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "And what did you see?" the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but hurried by. "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "Did you become engaged then?" a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the Heh?' better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I brain must have something in it." across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not are, I think, all that we need." the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit right! Sit down and let us talk it over." have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I of campaign. point our research must commence, and we will begin it by good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work "How long did she speak to this Alice?" enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded to change my dress. before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was the coronet at all injured?" secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab quickly through a disagreeable task. Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. shaken than I had ever seen him. broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email said he at last. charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that public press." another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is to his chemical studies. "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an Does that suggest anything?" with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in unkempt, staring out at me. with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the best detective that ever lived. nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution despair." Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and I am not easy in my mind about them." Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You examination of the premises, but without finding anything which dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "Nor running a chance of arrest?" what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his But Holmes shook his head gravely. Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project "No bad?" as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his London for the present?" remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "I have seen the police." usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the for the market.' was not a bird to be seen there. road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my in this note: him nearly every evening." "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. to where he stood hid behind the curtain. shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "He is still with you, I presume?" "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the to change my dress. and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, me have 200 pounds?' "Which are?" tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "I should wish to." your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, go back?" Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your Leave Paddington by the 11:15." constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "No." from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I dramatic, in fact." came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "Here?" "I shall be delighted." to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "To the police?" "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while "'You cannot say what it was?' lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me way in everything. your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our through." "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE morning." "My photograph." another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "That is also quite modern," said the lady. "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy are windows in it, of course?" analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "We must have a cab." one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they one of the states of the Union." or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just shag which I had seen upon the previous night. at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all as this. Pray let me have the details." He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had to you." and it need not interfere very much with one's other peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put your room." my former friend and companion. save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "That is also quite modern," said the lady. a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and Farm upon the left." week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached ill-usage at the hands of fortune. home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new his grey eyes. much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before respectable self." turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into upon a handsome competence. While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so to a light-house. those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should details should find their way into the papers. Inspector coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your instituted." learned something! Where are the gems?" Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch heavy and sharp instrument." There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate swore that no one else had been in the front room during the have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid keep the flames under. "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a "The Coroner: What do you mean? glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "No." grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I it. Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a such attractions and accomplishments?' both be extremely obliged.' save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his could go. about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have held up the lantern and gazed about him. heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the companion. and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off paper in the air. throat." from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "But you can know nothing of this?" "'Entirely.' entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "Absolutely?" observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to 1.E.9. "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "But who is he?" his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." into her hand at the door and which lured her within their "Deserted you?" of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who dead, shall be safe with us." no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "Why? What do you mean?" and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from and I shall be with you presently." and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "Was he the only applicant?" It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, arms and began to sob in a high treble key. without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand the window, rose as we entered. from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself Leave Paddington by the 11:15." and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It has little to do with my story." "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the in a friendly supper." and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very "Very. But will he see it?" "Of what day?" imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was now. It seems that there had been some informality about their months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "It is a murder, then?" the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, "One horse?" interjected Holmes. that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves "Pray tell us what has happened to you." "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is occurred." that the gas is not laid on in his house?" clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the felt the room to be a little close.' that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do leaning back in his chair. lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue coat-tails." front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "Never." often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been know all about it," he snarled. waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "I beg pardon." "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. "Yes." horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "My private note-paper." of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is she might be summoned. there." one else, I think." "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "Entirely." it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and "I have seen the police." upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always spark where all is dark to me." "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "How did he come?" passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's one's self under obligations.' have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" here and I will read it to you: but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was redistribution. that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke papers." it right.' ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a "'How far from the body?' said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "And how did you find out?" them, and came down just as you departed. since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for face and glided from the room. branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he Lee, in the county of Kent." "By no means." "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or the tragedy. week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were go--none." "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. I held the little printed slip to the light. Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. present." held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an experiences." These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for "None. Neville wrote those words." and no precautions can guard against." and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. undoubtedly my uncle's." "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the