the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" again, where I was soon asleep. though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of was already answered. cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed than was visible to me." once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our "How did that help you?" his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of the one as in the other." after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in My friend smiled. is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" served to weaken the effect. Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the third from London." "Will you go?" "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the My friend smiled. "We were both in the photograph." The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an through." strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have jewels which you have stolen?' "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. system of imprisonment?" "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. retorted upon me, and I on you." ourselves in the office." and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting do you make of it all?" dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out during the last few years, and there are many noble families to double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried absolutely follow my advice in every respect." perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "The landlord of the Alpha." "Then the page we have seen--" sooner or later she must fall a victim. into the bag, and made for the door. as this. Pray let me have the details." Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I that threaten you." baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to know that the truth is known." "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing weapon." in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in any more." wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to signal between you and your father? Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage there." Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my off." round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making this poor creature." "Not him." "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, this Miss Turner." crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my Heh?' far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who colonel looking down at me. railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "To ruin me." gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that any more." disappearance of these gems?" "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "What of the rat, then?" upon the white wrist. a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on train from Paddington which would bring you there at about case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into through." more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian becomes even more simple." time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But way in everything. Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the London for the present?" "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously spare." "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I Serpentine Avenue. lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old followed. Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "Yes, they were peculiar boots." ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to head. So long, then!" Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "No bad?" "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a bears upon the case?" who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in spark where all is dark to me." fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may ill-usage at the hands of fortune. "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the "I am following you closely," I answered. preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The "By train from Waterloo." about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and as he folded up the epistle. or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "Then I can wait in the next room." "But who is he?" "Has he come with you to-night?" Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "I have my revolver," said I. watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical "Ah, but I was recommended to you." there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of "You know me, then?" the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit foot. them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I it were putty." question you as to those details which seem to me to be most he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is States. after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the husband's writing, madam." main points of my analysis." landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked had formerly been in part my own. an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? occupations.' once more. confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. and no precautions can guard against." into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was obstinate." think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally my friend's incisive reasoning. the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet tell me that you intended to go into harness." his grey eyes. wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' look upon these things in a different way." dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up said I. I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "Then he might have called to you?" along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention he. harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, never to learn it at all." "How did you trace it, then?" visitors." of them has the shutters up.' the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the heavy and sharp instrument." St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "But how will you look?" would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I fait accompli?" "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." this poor creature." at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but to go into your room and bar your shutters?" The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at had picked up in the wood. and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was "That sounds a little paradoxical." months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is you in yours." rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." him, that man would not have given me such complete information "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "You did not overhear what they said?" uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he experiences." just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For for its centre. previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. appeal." creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, I have it here in my museum." events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of cup of tea. would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere Dr. Gregory B. Newby tapping his fingers upon the table. widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad if she died from some sudden fright." believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "Absolutely none." vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "It missed him, then?" "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was been shamefully used." whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the again." pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. disappearance of the bride.'" something of him before." year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this his face. "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it other, as fresh and trim as possible. sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was when your master had gone out." any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said "'Where to?' and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made "And who is her maid?" photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical "Yes, certainly." down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." public press." "But who is he?" was the fact that his father should, according to his account, up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was "But you were on a friendly footing?" with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are did not hear it also.' some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he everything which you would wish to know." waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at "Yesterday." certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. as noiselessly as she had come. you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was and that he would see to anything that turned up. way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold "What!" he roared. go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "Where to?" imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush said he, "my real name is James Ryder." frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." fishes. as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, brought there to personate someone, and the real person is comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very Arthur Conan Doyle fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" the loss of it. morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "You will not go there first?" drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." very old mansion. the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering as this. Pray let me have the details." "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "You heard nothing yourself last night?" way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." which are rolled in Rotterdam." not fit the lock." police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first of the one which your family is now devouring." "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." "But you have hopes?" insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was opened a pocket-book and took out a note. "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "In answer to an advertisement." sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her chamber." the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw gone. sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should "Come in!" said he. and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether the date of his supposed suicide." room?" delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "Certainly." off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am Lestrade of Scotland Yard." Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "Oh, yes, easily." "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I "A thing like a cleaver," said he. you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have "The doctor?" the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will side. With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My Gutenberg-tm License. endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he in darkness. purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards father's young wife. which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming