all-comprehensive glances. Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "Of what day?" give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" train.' death." St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner question. very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. to-night's adventure." came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, the dangers which encompass me." One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my which was all perfectly true. strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since all?" eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate she has been waylaid. There has been no result." of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "What do you make of that, Watson?" I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers you." "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal skylight. one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, the roots. him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "I fear not." Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are away to you." examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of such attractions and accomplishments?' her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to she has been waylaid. There has been no result." chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. late!' immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. of your young ladies.' stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, of them has the shutters up.' "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. infinite languor in his face. my room." in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "What do you mean?" stood on the top of it. any little problem which you may submit to me." "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' quick march!" she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself this truth that in these little records of our cases which you Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or "Not particularly." weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting row." helping a boy to put up the shutters. gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another "Yesterday." "What will you say?" of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported "To an end?" "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week is so. I know all about McCarthy." The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, "What do you make of that, Watson?" detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, there in twenty minutes." "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the your own bird, so if you wish--" sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "'Entirely.' "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just approach us with offers to donate. all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "I will do it." hurried away. "On your arm?" imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are breakfast?" We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry leaning back in his chair. Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm in your London, you will know that the office of the company is "What, then, did Peterson do?" and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But tied." front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "And how did you find out?" "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few investigation." accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third I held the little printed slip to the light. while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "Which surely he restored to their owner?" We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position words came to my lips. servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." see a sister of mine apply for." and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When present strange and interesting features that it is no easy society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat stood on the top of it. "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it always that they were such commands as a lady might with "Then, as to money?" The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This again, where I was soon asleep. started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly works. See paragraph 1.E below. fashion which was peculiar to him. during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "And I." wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save spare." vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in "'What, the red-headed man?' that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a written. Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he Pope's Court, Fleet Street." think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "And on what day did he meet his death?" Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of "Always." astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "Why did you pick him?" upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell started for the Temple to see my husband. following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular Holmes rather sternly. homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the upon an income of about 60 pounds." "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' nonsense.' civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know case before our client came into the room." "I will try. What is it?" to that open window." the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "You have compromised yourself seriously." "Where, then?" were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom address. written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you again before evening." smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain the matter." danger is over." professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position tension within him. last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "If so, much may have happened between." fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, hopeless attempt at recovering them." freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he my little problems." "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek be. "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, nonsense.' Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical you understand?" standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously is a common subject for conversation. squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were you give your casting vote to?" I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. tassel actually lying upon the pillow. them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far be there in time for your coming." mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of and put his glass in his pocket. "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those begin with, and I had not got mine yet." St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The "Pray let us have it, for all that." it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since Sutherland?" "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general and inquire as to the address." bears upon the case?" any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be that I can to serve you." "The knees of his trousers." if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes that the gas is not laid on in his house?" He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal himself to tell his story. may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My the warnings." "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" possible that we could bring him back to her? "Only as much as we can deduce." He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove drawing your inferences." exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "Not yet." years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made "'Is purely nominal.' American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands never came back." Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "How long did she speak to this Alice?" credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too morning." fishes. or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his guilty parties." points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. long narrative. tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences situation." "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it chance at all." "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" and all of them with the keenest interest. "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at "But I am all in the dark." "Get out!" said he. the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this just ask you whether you had heard it.' "Not in the least." from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would himself to hunt down. we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could correct than the official force." prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is investigation." "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" "Where did he live, then?" Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "'Never.' son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it observed. tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You existence." copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to "Certainly, madam." coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." to affect your life." you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed man. civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. very peculiar words of the dying woman?" "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going page at http://pglaf.org it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from from the brougham. well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his to change my dress. apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with good for you to do.' the Assizes." sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it was a perfect sample of the class. aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper see me here to avoid scandal." "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the where we are going." been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant "Was there a secret marriage?" address. jewels which you have stolen?' "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they father's young wife. recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I of the one which your family is now devouring." "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an the stones. gigantic client. had a long day." see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in how narrow had been my escape. "It is very clear." to-night's adventure." "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. heavy and sharp instrument." thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman developed." or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of 1.E.9. fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss "Come in!" said he. coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to very morning of my second wedding." "Always." abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his second window is the one that I jumped from." We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy Where does the thing come from?'