this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst "And the murderer?" been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the "Then I do not see the point." and laid it on the table. graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of telegram would bring me down to your help." or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the politicians who had been sent down from the North. woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own client, rising. think that any burglar could have done. I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs relief. companion imperturbably. from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had it." "No." was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "No legal papers or certificates?" footfalls from the street. petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "Will you go?" Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you strength of mind to control. and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices system of imprisonment?" "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the maiden herself was most instructive." to-night?" I asked. the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." since then to throw any light upon what became of him." Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "Which surely he restored to their owner?" she slowly sank and died without having recovered her The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second and that he would see to anything that turned up. Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "Only as much as we can deduce." machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He your room." "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "What can you not understand?" I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner "A thing like a cleaver," said he. gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who was already answered. brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, "You horrify me!" hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved "No, I think that I'll take it." found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, new acquaintance to Baker Street. and capable of preserving a secret.' my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. "My Mary? Impossible!" calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing "You have it, sir, just as it happened." 1.F. we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards which are rolled in Rotterdam." "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for and laid it on the table. "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not friend's singular character. "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle "What office?" metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" "Two days later this same performance was gone through under Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you looking up at the numbers of the houses." "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these "No. What a strange idea!" upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in have not had my rubber." "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." is worth.' elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' went to the Alpha were town bred." suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which over part of the map. "What do you read?" on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An night.' said he. quickly through a disagreeable task. geese which you supplied to the Alpha." fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" Chief Executive and Director glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "But of what society?" - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK bird I ate is country bred." had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked the stable lane now." prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "This concluded the examination of the witness." whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to "'Is purely nominal.' is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "What office?" where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They "Precisely." being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. overpowering excitement and concern. before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round arrested. You then--" peculiar to him. I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "By no means." "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the "10th. John Swain cleared. It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove to talk it over. what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers humiliation." nice household for a young lady." the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, to-night's adventure." until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry speckled band?" profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked "No." having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked weighed down with some great anxiety. "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "'Oh, no.' which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my "I was certainly surprised to find you there." the matter?" said Mr. Holder. "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to his cane at the bell-pull. it." down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical should be so warm over such a trifle." confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in national property. I was determined that the law should have its How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a "That was it, sir." "A confidential servant?" showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "But he might be a bachelor." great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at cigar and let me expound." abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have was a perfect sample of the class. garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit me where it went to?" detained." aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper green of the new foliage. that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss see a sister of mine apply for." princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being and glanced through. important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the chambers. thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "Indeed! Whose, then?" the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was "'I am sure if I had known--' all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to you." cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" likely to be some crony of the landlady's." "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in "How did you deduce the select?" "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said you." held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then him. shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her do.' exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "The murder was done with it." just ask you whether you had heard it.' gone before you can get him to hospital." forebodings. her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "Entirely." "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. unkempt, staring out at me. "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do becomes even more simple." first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is locked." details." forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from "You horrify me!" "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, "Pray do so." and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "I will, Miss Turner." have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even "How are you getting on?" the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. certainly do as you advise." act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was giving me time to thank him. fact, we may call it conclusive." trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he legal crime." rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got Street. been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "What!" he roared. "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. to where he stood hid behind the curtain. overpowering excitement and concern. But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. case-book, which he consulted. hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of certainly do as you advise." From what you have told me I think that it is possible that when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught to-night." or other trace. But how on earth--" "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of in one or two places in England?' "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." that the gas is not laid on in his house?" my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master her also." shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "'Certainly,' I answered. open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment I shall communicate with you." providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for you understand?" learned something! Where are the gems?" would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "Then you may entirely rely on me." "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, away in different directions, and I went off to make my own brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. since then to throw any light upon what became of him." and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the examine." there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. coat-tails." shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "Your presence might be invaluable." "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering minor matters until to-morrow." fuss that is made over them." "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now as yours." have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the "Did you observe the colour?" Henry Baker is a member." minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "What will you say?" myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of learned something! Where are the gems?"