"Witness: I must still refuse. other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest tell them apart.' had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view "'Oh, no.' quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to "Yes, that is the Crown." There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "How did he come?" is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "And what did you learn from him?" did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, what do you think they found in the pockets?" pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said light and attacked it." "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was this unhappy family?" morning." case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "I warn you that they are very incomplete." "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I been shamefully used." "Where did you address your letters, then?" "Was your sister dressed?" disappearance of these gems?" with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "'Yes.' work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, there is a decided draught." work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist his grey eyes. "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business "I will not look." "Witness: Nothing definite. presented more singular features than that which was associated somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. dead, shall be safe with us." the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George "'Most admirably.' "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "Yes, from Horsham." who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before affection." fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" look upon these things in a different way." the very letters. But what is this written above them?' not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I lamp. A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler me, and I could not think that his explanation of the or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. are, I think, all that we need." certainly do as you advise." "The best possible." opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "Precisely." "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he "'I have already given you my word.' just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down murdered man." "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "You think that he is dead?" very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his me have 200 pounds?' that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another locked. willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once Sutherland. upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have wedding?" I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America "'No, I know no one in these parts.' you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at already been minutely examined." admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "Frequently." I. "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might His smile broadened. ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to "Always." the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I such attractions and accomplishments?' with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, them present such singular features as the strange train of Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all jewels which you have stolen?' in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "Two days later this same performance was gone through under Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is and your relations to her." as he folded up the epistle. I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "Well, some hundreds of times." "You are all wrong." Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A noting anything else of interest. During two years I have had three consultations and one small very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the joking. the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found deduce something from that?" family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "This concluded the examination of the witness." know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "Get out!" said he. magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most people don't know." lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known married her." lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her the child." felt the room to be a little close.' revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a think you a quite exceptional woman." accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and became a certainty. building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and redistribution. my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door His smile broadened. "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He strange features which were associated with the two crimes which see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely forehead. in a friendly supper." Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I one's self under obligations.' to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and straighten it?" anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." But Holmes shook his head gravely. to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was several quiet little villages up there." shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another man. "'You doubt its value?' he asked. myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A conduct the inquiry." into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE generous with you in money matters.' "Ah!" Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. asked with his eyes open. its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into for securing the situation." "In answer to an advertisement." provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It hard-headed British jury." for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "I am sure." of the one which your family is now devouring." "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "'Why that?' I asks. wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with and wait." "No good news?" "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry father's place of business?" business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding should be so warm over such a trifle." "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining Dr. Gregory B. Newby "What, then?" "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "Quite so." theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and forebodings. important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. results." pound a week." to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not about here speaks of his kindness to him." 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "Certainly, madam." the dangers which encompass me." bedroom door." have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight emerged. "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "Perfectly so." sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of records." the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "Pray be precise as to details," said he. time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "That is possible." "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who mystery!" "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her persecution?" "But you can know nothing of this?" "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up light and attacked it." "Nothing." desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "Yes." "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so been shamefully used." last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as together. brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "Why? What do you mean?" residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, horse could go." hopeless attempt at recovering them." her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it little trying to do so much typewriting?" just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "And you thought he was pulled back?" "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "And what then?" eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing interests were the same as his." "It missed him, then?" sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover I am not easy in my mind about them." King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret galvanised.