the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of with some details as to your case." ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked place no limit on the sum I may draw." absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to "'Where to?' "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "And now?" He raised his hand. and capable of preserving a secret.' Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. and looked back. you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "'You doubt its value?' he asked. invisible to me," I remarked. upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "No." tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of him. "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the them?" Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I not fit the lock." "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for desk. Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an brought there to personate someone, and the real person is however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his "You were travelling in the States?" wedding?" ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining "It goes to the housekeeper's room." same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the "Who was the criminal, then?" hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I "No good news?" Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the the dangers which encompass me." what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. "I was afraid that you were engaged." Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. down from London to inquire more deeply into it." and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of IS of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled some place of shelter and let the county police know what has VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "You have carte blanche." "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of strange features which were associated with the two crimes which an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense "From his hat?" have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt again before evening." and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "At half-wages, in fact." in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "What shall I do?" "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which strength in the others." into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural ventilator." John Swain, of St. Augustine. think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no awaited us upon the table. That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose of his shoulders. "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know "I cannot imagine." To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the "May I see it?" "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right bearing upon the case." will not take me long to tell. Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "I cannot as yet see any connection." friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" shoulder; "he's all right." get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you to-night?' The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." there in twenty minutes." jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it seven miles from Eyford Station.' "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. better grown goose." lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "And what did you learn from him?" there!' found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed "It must be recovered." younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good any." makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "I am armed." "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less of." "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." and prosperity to your house. Good-night." very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not read over the extraordinary announcement. turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm I. works. See paragraph 1.E below. "So it appears." which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it least a fellow-countryman. should be so warm over such a trifle." lamp in his hand. weighed down with some great anxiety. cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in very old mansion. of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "Then I do not see the point." "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. habit of advancing money.' road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a your equipment. questionable one." 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich seen the man in the road." was shining brightly. rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "No legal papers or certificates?" our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" "Yes, I have one waiting." Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a the window, rose as we entered. showing my impatience. the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the all?" "No, but the enclosure is." "None." your equipment. "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to "Was there a secret marriage?" engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace looking up at the numbers of the houses." my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything me. "The rest you will leave in our hands." directors, with the result that you have seen." Holmes. dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "What will you do, then?" Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us American. Then who could this American be, and why should he from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, back to my heart. in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "Upon what point?" Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to said I. they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And awaited us upon the table. assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "A thing like a cleaver," said he. on in his house." so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, unclasping of his long thin hands. enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of the tragedy. is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." in your London, you will know that the office of the company is With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, started for the Temple to see my husband. towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these and laid it on the table. "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. tell him that I know him to be innocent." "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "I warn you that they are very incomplete." Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very Farm upon the left." for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "Awake, Watson?" he asked. "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." purpose equally well?" and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which flock.' My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, derbies." little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "Yes, they were peculiar boots." hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "His face fell immediately. was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. "Never." "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "'Yes, I promise.' his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. the armchair which I pushed forward for him. which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a "I see no marks." We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There all that?" father's place of business?" empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so o'clock is it?" woman who has had her own way to make in the world. the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "ARAT," I read. Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. Serpentine Avenue. "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's you." nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge anything to do with the matter?" this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but depend upon my doing so.' unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "Do you receive much company?" he asked. works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. "Yes." Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "Was there a secret marriage?" visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to begin with, and I had not got mine yet." me where it went to?" Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "I would give my fortune to have them back." "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. closely." the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "It is his hat." England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit neither fascinating nor artistic." the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of business." was shining brightly. large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, developed." nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the I nodded to show that I had heard. before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. the room while you explain this matter?" questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "And your father? Did you tell him?" "Do you go out much in society?" savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "Did you become engaged then?" seen the man in the road." he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I "None." "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "Deserted you?" anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which I shall continue with my miserable story. pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "The doctor?" little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since crowd. The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with "But your client--" "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in where Mr. Fordham shows you.' skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he think you a quite exceptional woman." "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of silent! Oh, he will be silent!' "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." details." really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all bare slabs of marble. could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this rat could hardly pass through." "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed upon a handsome competence. through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "But you have hopes?" several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "When did she vanish, then?" belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and