very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, "Yes, it was twisted." cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began asked with his eyes open. from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." companion imperturbably. "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case "Was there a secret marriage?" "Imitated." business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "Yes." "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each "And you can do nothing until then?" they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "What office?" confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall "I say that I have solved it." the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you if I call to-morrow?" a good hundred miles off by now." his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this where we are going." which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "And why?" "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. strong and stiff." time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "No, I am descending." But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, During two years I have had three consultations and one small while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this bachelor.' company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles paper in the air. to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses annoyance, but no jest. the bed, and you in that chair." her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a I approached. "But how will you look?" dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few to a light-house. confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently entirely lost his self-respect." going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to any." occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever late." against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, Pope's Court. how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "She walked into the breakfast-room." occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" been deceived." "Yes." One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in "Really! You surprise me." a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "Yes, that is the Crown." in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and noting anything else of interest. "What will you say?" error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out frequently gained my first real insight into the character of of receipt of the work. Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was fire. You quite follow me?" the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are least a fellow-countryman. for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. round and wave him away like that.' "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of the tragedy. "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said "That is not always so easy." observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most be. over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good the one as in the other." "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last business." than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his "And I to find an enemy." "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "You have it, sir, just as it happened." "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the problems help me to do so." had this final quarrel? "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client in his hands." of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "No, I think that I'll take it." "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the are windows in it, of course?" felt?" Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken read over the extraordinary announcement. maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "Well." "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that garden below. written. which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "And how have you succeeded?" "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. from you?" and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for important." considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, once more for Briony Lodge. "Game for a morning drive?" "Quite so. She has her freedom." young Openshaw's." in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. the inner apartment." more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat II. quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "But she could not love him." We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "He said too much." the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "How long did she speak to this Alice?" Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "'Stolen!' he cried. At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips maiden herself was most instructive." puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some you in yours." whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn reach." flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "I saw her in conversation with her maid." to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a despaired of." "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. question," said Holmes, smiling. "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "Which are?" tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this always that they were such commands as a lady might with "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard hurried away. regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself his eyes and forehead. point our research must commence, and we will begin it by "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of that before taking the final step I should like to submit the number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked enter Dr. Roylott's room." pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite late!' remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping cigars in the box." results." would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can swore that no one else had been in the front room during the that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in again." lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In This is what he says: chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "It goes to the housekeeper's room." perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "Why, what do you mean?" freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss ago." the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "Yes." drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that becomes even more simple." London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my information in his hands the value of which he did not himself equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "He might." "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a and effective." would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, "Yes, the wine-cellar." to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in I think that I could be of assistance to you." India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "I know where it is." all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "My dear Holmes!" may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the right! Sit down and let us talk it over." 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: "That is also quite modern," said the lady. "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. shall not find me ungrateful." home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' that of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "What have you done?" asked Holmes. October 9, 1890. than to us. cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah Pool. the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right "Where is it, then?" drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was conduct the inquiry." a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. meant it for the best. that?' desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the cigars in the box." "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: morning." what these perils are?" left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular third from London." finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in was used.' of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little morning." in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "'Ten to two.' with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with eat it." "What have you to say now?" "We must have a cab." Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were problems help me to do so." Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; to some other building. "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler think that he is innocent?" company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite details." nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "Yes." street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, to tackle the facts." stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "You have carte blanche." "'Oh, no.' it." even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of the roots. my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel weapon." away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have dear old homesteads?" up this clue while it is still hot." bare slabs of marble. summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself individual and becomes the badge of a society." surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of she to prove their authenticity?" would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, me. maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be gives a meaning to it." "I never have." since then to throw any light upon what became of him." had formerly been in part my own. these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "'Tell me all about it,' said I. them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain "I guessed as much." Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. "I cannot think." little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to overpowering excitement and concern. already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the