whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we following enigmatical notices: still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive "That is it on the dressing-table." "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "Then how many are there?" Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." during which he might have communicated with his friend the examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was subject to the trademark license, especially commercial another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt "Ha! you find it so?" more solid." through." "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting kind enough to tell me what I should do." tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings green of the new foliage. Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon mystery." "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how writing, and yet I know it well." the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were in his power. go from here to the Strand." doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "You think that he is dead?" constraint." complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up I have it here in my museum." help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a touch that coronet?' on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" I took the paper from him and read as follows: "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure "'Most admirably.' fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, than to us. case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the "Yes, at the mines." "Never to return." direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "I see no marks." "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked sneer upon his pale face. Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "Yes." array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three was a lad." ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an himself in a perplexing position. impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every memory. his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "I am about to be married." at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my "I am sure." incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the said he. "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "Then, as to money?" "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people http://gutenberg.net/license). was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, to you." when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his power." "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that future lives." "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided one which it was hard to resist. pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural round with crates and massive boxes. beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "You did not overhear what they said?" find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main empty. your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal have one." "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a "Stolen, then." makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. man. the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "Was he the only applicant?" comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which stood on the top of it. the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three The police have openly confessed that they can at present make of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "But to whom?" "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat to have that photograph." The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." door?" It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." few hundred pounds.' "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master Holmes' thin, eager face. unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London whereabouts. case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in grasp, he hurried from the room. "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "None." Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light shall use the carriage to-night." vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I Holmes rather sternly. "Thank you. Pray proceed." down. And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the showing my impatience. test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "The rest you will leave in our hands." suddenly upon us." "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your weary and pale-looking. before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. out of this horrible affair." enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the correct than the official force." lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, hereditary King of Bohemia." prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. and wait." shall not find me ungrateful." the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening learned something! Where are the gems?" "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would papers on the sundial.'" "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes front of me. I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies fat-encircled eyes. I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself suggested at once that there must be a communication between the scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "'Quite sure, dad.' "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before http://www.gutenberg.net editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood off." prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew breakfast and whispered something to her husband. across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the Mary, has deserted me." "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "Of Friday, June 19th." the tragedy. Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of that you saw all that I did." his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is front of me. Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project whereabouts. doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the "At half-wages, in fact." good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late gone before you can get him to hospital." "When did it break out?" there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their will find little credit to be gained out of this case." minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the conversation I have gathered that they have been married about you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect "Was she in good spirits?" "Why did you pick him?" valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "'Very good.' must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "'Tell me all about it,' said I. night.' said he. "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. was shining brightly. unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your "Get out!" said he. of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my even so self-evident a thing as that." few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had carriage. It was a chestnut." insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his what do you think they found in the pockets?" results." perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "No legal papers or certificates?" do.' ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the views." "In San Francisco, a year ago." I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the Project Gutenberg-tm works. not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. quick march!" "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." delighted to hear it," he said. see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham astonishment. transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in and the colonel ushered me in. and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged 'I should be able to look after that for you.' leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten down in his armchair and closing his eyes. down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. means taking possession of that which another person has a prior therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I thin legs towards the fire. of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not was the fact that his father should, according to his account, than to us. held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view in the dead of the night?' style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have crowd. reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "Never." "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" Clair, of Lee." "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "Witness: It was. Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you to-morrow." in a friendly supper." prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I with some details as to your case." "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A distinguish the words: never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been derbies." doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit you." a room. a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as conversation I have gathered that they have been married about you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is "Your presence might be invaluable." cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down our word." as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and know what is wrong with it.' him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was husband's writing, madam." "It came here." his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to I was concerned in it." "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "Then, as to money?" stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you thin, with a long, sharp nose?" disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "Oh, the cause is excellent!" it."