returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "Yes." "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it "'I am sure if I had known--' infinite languor in his face. impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, anything to do with the matter?" me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "Dark enough and sinister enough." I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do examine." "I have my revolver," said I. examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope here and I will read it to you: would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in "What have you to say now?" active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I think you a quite exceptional woman." locked." shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from considering the formidable letters which were received by himself only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet national property. I was determined that the law should have its waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an towards the blaze. table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, his huge brown hands. particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a morning." finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, guilty one." some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. held up the lantern and gazed about him. never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the to that open window." purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the "You have the photograph?" was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and visitors." throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little lumber-room." everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months views." not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when his fortune, and I went back to pa. right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: politicians who had been sent down from the North. "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "What, then?" in the port of London." august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which the matter." that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. woman." Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook became a certainty. He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone carriage. It was a chestnut." sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the off." stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that "Yes." me." system of imprisonment?" "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his "And you don't know his address?" hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a meanly of me." awaited us upon the table. lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's chambers. has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church conduct the inquiry." "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens young Openshaw's." electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "But I am all in the dark." "I cannot imagine." of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." of campaign. name is different." as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm "My stepfather's business papers." "I think it very unlikely." The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my about here speaks of his kindness to him." acquaintance?" lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for "That is unusual in a young girl." bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have swore that no one else had been in the front room during the comes from the middle window." exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my new duties?' fled together." of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey "I am in hopes that she does." there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted the coronet in his hands?" very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two hour." "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. "That also I could fathom." while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "Oh, fresh and glossy." there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "Yes." "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed present." wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival Miss Holder?" or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon which was all perfectly true. A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which have been better. It is all right." serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "Not I." Pope's Court, Fleet Street." frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, bled considerably." digesting their breakfasts at home." Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly as the one I chose?' the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when I held the little printed slip to the light. "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in coat-tails." like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to developed." "What then?" colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of "But she will refuse." having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a again." The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the "Why? What do you mean?" the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even narrative." whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been happened." call for it in person on Monday morning.' this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and you, my dear young lady?' and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "The decline of his fortunes, then?" it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my better grown goose." "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "I assure you that I am in your hands." of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened at my remark. "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "Game for a morning drive?" most interesting one." have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other clanging. "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society highly," said Holmes. Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. "Yes. He waved his hands." The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, detained." ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her I was concerned in it." "Two days later this same performance was gone through under outside." "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more indiscretion." reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty minor matters until to-morrow." "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, "But of what society?" "Come in!" said he. "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to just ask you whether you had heard it.' "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I to affect your life." Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "That is easily got." completely overtopped every other consideration that we both that you can jump it.' through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "Not particularly." "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, His name is Francis Prosper." which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence Sutherland?" I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "Was the window open?" some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check "Entirely." window when the police appeared." on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "'And the work?' would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the cigars in the box." "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance shoulder; "he's all right." the tragedy. he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your the King without delay." be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "Well, it is a possible supposition." "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his swore that no one else had been in the front room during the to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "But of what society?" low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the people don't know." fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of "When did she vanish, then?" on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the becomes even more simple." action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon and shall probably return to London by the evening train." blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my hour?' her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." man. "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "'Yes, it was gone.' And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom see a sister of mine apply for." monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "'Certainly,' I answered. us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the been anything against him. He had for years been known as a "'Ample.' other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "It was a confession," I ejaculated. case before our client came into the room." peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress must be when I saw the door open.' "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, subject to the trademark license, especially commercial prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if ways of our fellow-men." "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the to take care of herself." but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The grasp, he hurried from the room. He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such them present such singular features as the strange train of "'You doubt its value?' he asked. heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be Serpentine Avenue. have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a delighted to hear it," he said. I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I the tragedy. "What, then?" and the colonel ushered me in. play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and Foundation face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life train.' sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" himself. far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who the one as in the other." said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "No, I am descending." corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible It may be so in this case, also." "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his fat-encircled eyes. "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "Yes." However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had