A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "But you would not advise me to refuse?" of." surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold which are rolled in Rotterdam." "You think so, too?" however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him indeed which he could not unravel. the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "Yes, sir." he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a events, Mr. Windibank!" the general public were present, then?" 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" Have you good authority for what you say?" any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "And your mother is alive?" with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "But how?" friends, not even his own brother. would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "And how have you succeeded?" this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the "But I am all in the dark." the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the whereabouts. stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he a little more before I quite committed myself. "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually not interfere, come what may. You understand?" trying to your nerves." fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "'Which dealer's?' flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We happened." "Could he throw no light?" collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "Nothing?" "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business appeal." this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. and looked back. at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "She will not sell." more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre back into the street. "He might." her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "One of his hands." sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "Your presence might be invaluable." companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. security.' endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural second." order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "Frequently." had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the make me his representative both with the servants and with the give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of way in." going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "But it has twice been burgled." came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "'What would be the hours?' I asked. "The knees of his trousers." grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting there!' willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his breakfast?" Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had very morning of my second wedding." after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed "'Yes, sir.' with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and father's young wife. During two years I have had three consultations and one small hand, madam?" Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes his knees, staring into the fire. to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide handed it to him. abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows It was close upon four before the door opened, and a works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to peculiar to him. have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "Yes." chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's the ceiling. something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which "No." surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "That's no good." "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" colonel looking down at me. request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been both be extremely obliged.' are, and they are waiting for us." an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and outsides of the windows. some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, "Just look it up, then." very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to "Quite so." whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. cause to be." - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from forebodings. people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to think that any burglar could have done. after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are time." upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "It missed him, then?" baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite is now desirous of getting those letters back." received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, the matter." I am not easy in my mind about them." "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the least a most suspicious remark." said he. eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." bears upon the case?" absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "There are none." and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the room had already been engaged for us. are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. formed some opinion?" lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter floor. bachelor.' the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "It's nothing of the kind." purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the think that any burglar could have done. going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the "She showed me, as I told you she would." 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own this remarkable episode. "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall http://www.gutenberg.net double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One "Then the page we have seen--" have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand thirty. will take you up to see the machine.' one of them." charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "You'll never persuade me to believe that." go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. Street. "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters ventilator." "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his whether it answered to the description of any of their "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" events, Mr. Windibank!" this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "He is dead," cried several voices. received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post little trying to do so much typewriting?" has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled presume?" anything to a woman, for she would have her way." seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' to Leatherhead. long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew to his chemical studies. drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "What?" knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in he died? "No?" and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "'As governess?' jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind row." "The Coroner: What do you mean? may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." "'Which dealer's?' the side-table." found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. "It was a confession," I ejaculated. to some other building. impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the the so-precious time, but come!' "'About the same.' until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the washing it down with a long draught of water. as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." generous with you in money matters.' were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same "'Oh, no.' presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. gone. to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "Of what day?" "One of the highest in England." and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "I will try. What is it?" crime. "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and "What can you not understand?" thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right the house with me." Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "May I see it?" 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is Surrey." "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and fat-encircled eyes. my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the "I should like to see him very much." down. also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they "And you thought he was pulled back?" "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would point our research must commence, and we will begin it by the inner apartment." the bed, and you in that chair." lost nothing by them." "'About the same.' at my own good fortune. round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." During two years I have had three consultations and one small had this final quarrel? vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in whatever might befall. "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been late!' writer." "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to the King without delay." Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "Here?" which we had just quitted. "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his infinite languor in his face. James Windibank. Voilà tout!" insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very with the outside air!" "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the discontent upon his features. moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "But he might be a bachelor." "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "'Very good.' whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with have had none more fantastic than this." was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of crackling voice. though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the him to go away.' companion imperturbably. "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "If I can be of use." "None." make me his representative both with the servants and with the the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay records." upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes chambers. among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about through." "The Coroner: What do you mean? and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her "I see many objections to any such theory." "We were both in the photograph." "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow amused." to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, ventilator." why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "A client, then?" "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain have accepted such a situation. heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A directly by questioning you." disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until "No." smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End a monotonous occupation." without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." and your relations to her." which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there