"What shall I do?" "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is recall any case within my experience which looked at the first you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, within hail.' of your young ladies.' enter into my head. object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of about. quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's more solid." happened." "I never have." floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "None." society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I murdered man." time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon and inquire as to the address." "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the tightly behind him. not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." "BALLARAT." I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until upon the sideboard." there." the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. remarked. at my remark. slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. developed." fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less she to prove their authenticity?" there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "Yes." "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the Holmes' thin, eager face. that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, "No, my brougham is waiting." with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you pierced for earrings?" The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in fact, we may call it conclusive." stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" to go into your room and bar your shutters?" astonishment. of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was upon the shelf for the interim." suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat status with the IRS. creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "And when will you call?" "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the "Not yet." colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "What is it?" equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in which we had just quitted. "I cannot tell." was once confined in the cab my mission was practically married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every The telegram which we eventually received came late one night "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the could go. breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had "Ah!" parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "In what way?" asked Holmes. your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning matter." (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without forbidden door. feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your sooner or later she must fall a victim. "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. conclusions. "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who me, and I could not think that his explanation of the "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; recover the gem." "What then?" "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "'Why that?' I asks. posted to-day." threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one beyond words. A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely once more to my work. the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like "By train from Waterloo." "Holmes, the busybody!" "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "Come in!" said Holmes. success. roused himself from his reverie. "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of business matters.' "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled where we are going." lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks subject to the trademark license, especially commercial ordinary clothes on?" known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "I say it is." "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "But you would not advise me to refuse?" ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide posted to-day." "I am to be neutral?" shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "And it is--" "You did not overhear what they said?" "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." chill to my heart. I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your mysterious end." you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "There is the writing." upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge I approached. of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was my former friend and companion. in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the invisible to me," I remarked. his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." garden below. the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with to-night." "And did you observe any change in her then?" tied." it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable highroad, where all traces were lost. "I cannot as yet see any connection." following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the just called myself is not exactly my own." Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of "'It is locked up,' I answered. wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this "You forget that I know nothing about it." imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over vault. to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "No." resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the manager. "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: one else, I think." "You forget that I know nothing about it." Pool. got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose "What can you not understand?" the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you security.' saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, disappearance of these gems?" "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, certainly do as you advise." over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it Sutherland?" Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "Pray do so." in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only one of them." found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and you." have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. daring than any effort of the imagination." in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the there was no need for father to know." a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to upon a handsome competence. While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with a very grave face. "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "Yes, it would be as well." "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "'Tell me all about it,' said I. snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they there was no need for father to know." though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would questionable one." may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us the King without delay." dear old homesteads?" headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': "And leave your case unfinished?" was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of down in his armchair and closing his eyes. continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, advice." "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it "Certainly." And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. following enigmatical notices: folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that together. Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "To an end?" in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of that?' housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the as the one I chose?' o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he "It was an hour's good drive." "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she dead, shall be safe with us." "He is dead," cried several voices. Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it do.' "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old really the only notable feature about the thing." people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train them, and came down just as you departed. "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure with her." what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has made his money." the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the the side-table." spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "What I expected to see." chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." appeared upon the scene." hair?' combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face business." the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." "Eh? What was that?" with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else showing my impatience. submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "10th. John Swain cleared. of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his front of me. in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "It came here." It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they money should be paid at once.' all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "We must sit without light. He would see it through the was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "Then, how do you know?" have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by "'It is locked up,' I answered. Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "Were they all fastened this morning?"