morning." have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner Young McCarthy must be got off, however." charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "Then I am your man." "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away discontent upon his features. "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked "I cannot imagine." someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included should be taken.' over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, The events in question occurred in the early days of my "I am in hopes that she does." thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a standing smiling on the door-step. It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do you understand?" "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. the window, rose as we entered. pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "Very. But will he see it?" The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time interest. They are important, you understand, without being dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." outsides of the windows. not personally threatened." the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "You horrify me!" than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are will take you up to see the machine.' few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him and I shall be with you presently." resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "I fear not." hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe and all of them with the keenest interest. of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "And you don't know his address?" you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to question," said Holmes, smiling. "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. "That was it, sir." were wasted." as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is points to suicide?" right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced Farm upon the left." our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the "You horrify me." ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt least a fellow-countryman. from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would acted in my house last night?" these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came was used.' "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." such person." "What, then?" "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire "None." used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the delirious. "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to "And on what day did he meet his death?" hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming hereditary King of Bohemia." directors, with the result that you have seen." "What, then, did Peterson do?" he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a discontent upon his features. "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it "It is possible." hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet least a most suspicious remark." how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a point our research must commence, and we will begin it by effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, companion. stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "'Most admirably.' smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for the little opening for the ventilator is." and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. that before taking the final step I should like to submit the were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; My friend smiled. glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no points in connection with it which never have been, and probably with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another of campaign. as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell of your young ladies.' the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for have an American origin." thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. train.' "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "My dear Holmes!" should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "And I say east," said my patient. you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "The Coroner: What do you mean? "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. "That you are never beaten." and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My "It is a murder, then?" carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he Chief Executive and Director I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the "You know me, then?" "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. Street. At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his he bowed and left the room without another word. and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed bird of prey. should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ looking up at the numbers of the houses." everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his for and were ordered to this address. trifles." delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under enter into my head. dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant correct than the official force." "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner "That is it on the dressing-table." a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies "What is it, then--a fire?" should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I congenial hunt. the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry strength of mind to control. front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in felt?" Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; village inn over there?" was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which "Yes, certainly." and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or there in twenty minutes." endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "Where, indeed?" "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "'Very good.' heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "'I have already given you my word.' main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly tail." into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the This is what he says: scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up "By no means." to tackle the facts." even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to to-night?' "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. skylight. "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the subject to the trademark license, especially commercial half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. beg that you will break it off." was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are "How many? I don't know." job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for certainly do as you advise." face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "'Then let me do so?' which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "Very murderous indeed." own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "Well, it is a possible supposition." Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love "What can it mean?" I gasped. foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life Miss Holder?" "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the them, and came down just as you departed. word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "I was mad--insane." "Nothing." the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who you, my dear young lady?' "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled noting anything else of interest. "And why?" new acquaintance to Baker Street. found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being appeared upon the scene." deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, Cross for the Continent." impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from them present such singular features as the strange train of "Perhaps I have." pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." redistribution. "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that kindly on the shoulder. passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." respectable self." yards of it?' conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive unprecedented a position." states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads Holmes' room. himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in my special province." data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm not as remarkable as your advertisement." later, upon the night of May 2nd." woman." accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered there in twenty minutes." made his money." loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, people don't know." In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and "Yes, there are nearly always some there." Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "But his lameness?" passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for on in his house." "Dark enough and sinister enough." "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all shoulder; "he's all right." whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my 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 overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the tell me that you intended to go into harness." recall any case within my experience which looked at the first conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "But the mystery?" compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, evidence," I remarked. "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it it. views." "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "'What do you call purely nominal?' got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through as he folded up the epistle. Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful standing smiling on the door-step. sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" a room. "Deserted you?" practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side train from Paddington which would bring you there at about am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "There is the writing."