must compliment you." "By no means." hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, this remarkable episode. Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the "And how did you find out?" the window, rose as we entered. "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in is a common subject for conversation. gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable was already answered. deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would desk. expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A round and wave him away like that.' He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his "It came here." let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he "Very murderous indeed." from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey becomes even more simple." has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "'You cannot say what it was?' Mary, has deserted me." to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider do you make of it all?" them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my cheerful." truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. heavily into it. "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "But you have hopes?" face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done entirely devoid of interest." and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its disturbance in my wife." is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "We must have a cab." see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good opened the door, and slipped through. predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all this man was intellectual?" varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from noble correspondent could be. "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter Count Von Kramm." "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "'No, I know no one in these parts.' "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "Of what day?" go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." page at http://pglaf.org unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in room?" the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." of it with the greatest attention. the bed, and you in that chair." a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. "I saw her in conversation with her maid." "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's money should be paid at once.' young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his key turn in the lock." but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a is now desirous of getting those letters back." for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a that threaten you." fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven to that open window." presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "'I shall certainly be there.' "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance "Only as much as we can deduce." screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE child?' deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then business came to an end." a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "And when will you call?" down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "Certainly, madam." heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was The events in question occurred in the early days of my happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "You have a clue?" garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where copied or distributed: your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and "I am in hopes that she does." "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, morning." "Holmes, the busybody!" credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "You think that he is dead?" "I was certainly surprised to find you there." death." "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." enter into my head. "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow DAMAGE. I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and "No." to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called point in the dark hollow of his hand. suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "Yes, but only for you and me." Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "Thank you. And your address?" by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." what these perils are?" from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "I cannot say that I have." The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "He is dead," cried several voices. you in your example." the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the "I was certainly surprised to find you there." confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I to me. and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the Pope's Court. confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an said I. I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "How can you tell that?" slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. "And what then?" insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's peculiar to him. secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. respectable self." "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in tear off another piece?' "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had without success. At last the little money which I had saved began third from London." the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away "Nothing." pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. points to suicide?" rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "But how?" me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until touch that coronet?' "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon entirely devoid of interest." "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. bonnet, and went out." centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." shoulder; "he's all right." yet." "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears himself to tell his story. 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was the little opening for the ventilator is." was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether o'clock is it?" unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain triumphant cloud from his cigarette. have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they "And why?" girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in "I would pay ten." Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue bed dies. Does not that strike you?" thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "'In my own bureau.' "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, you do it in twenty minutes!' very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet learned something! Where are the gems?" "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view away in different directions, and I went off to make my own village inn over there?" "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are peculiar to him. To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." there!' danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had photograph?" inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk "You'll never persuade me to believe that." introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' "Her father is very rich?" Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. "Precisely." "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and window when the police appeared." roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, mysterious business." "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly some water from a caraffe. eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, at once, for I have only half an hour." a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "What!" he roared. granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a door?" were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a stepfather?" from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "'Tell me all about it,' said I. waste of energy." possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong the inner apartment." outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "None." the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to knowledge of the world." the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and place, I think that there is good ground to think that the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments come either from the window or the door. My attention was "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. points to suicide?" listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "What?" in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the Leadenhall Street--and--" the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have at a side door. "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "What! You do not mean bodies?" presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. your bag." which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my back into the street. Cross for the Continent." from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "How did that help you?" which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The late!' every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest detective. are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods