occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can not come at once?" the stable lane now." the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has "'Which dealer's?' concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, Foundation over here." pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "'Not at all. I only doubt--' rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year "Did he not advertise?" married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, rooms." Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. showing my impatience. it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "What do you make of that, Watson?" their singular warning or token before them when starting upon business in the City. She little knew what. time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a neither fascinating nor artistic." road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' "And why in hopes?" any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord "So I am. Very much so." The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "'Is purely nominal.' "'How far from the body?' about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite Mary, has deserted me." "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to "I cannot tell." the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, "'I have heard so.' "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "When did she vanish, then?" we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind go--none." man. Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter "'I have heard so.' drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white little trying to do so much typewriting?" moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong asked. "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet fat-encircled eyes. It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "And help." "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," "My dear Holmes!" "Eh? What was that?" "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." just called myself is not exactly my own." them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of bare slabs of marble. had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "To an end?" "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. were new raised from a basin. before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of Pool. something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was and your relations to her." "What do you mean?" peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "No more words. Get out!" will take you up to see the machine.' himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned Eyford at 11:15.' was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. the iron safe, which he closed upon it. the Friday. Was it to be in church?" still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining way in." when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." "It may not come to that," said Holmes. it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he read over the extraordinary announcement. it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I "That sounds a little paradoxical." "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to ready to-morrow?' "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the I nodded again. present." she might be summoned. "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, system of imprisonment?" Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of "It was a confession," I ejaculated. Literary Archive Foundation him to be an active member of the medical profession." of." sufficient punishment." gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a three fields round his house, and there he would take his "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the over with notes and figures. assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You had died away into the silence from which it rose. room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America again on its way. dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" that?' the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so clang of the bell. a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "He slept on the premises." we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "Why did you beat the pavement?" cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it know what is wrong with it.' hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now of them has the shutters up.' my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded matter over." Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when giving me time to thank him. any little problem which you may submit to me." should be taken.' it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second nothing with him." pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, maiden herself was most instructive." "Why serious?" at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he villagers almost as much as their master. have an American origin." village inn over there?" entirely devoid of interest." upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend conceal it?" imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the golden eyeglasses. "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; anything to do with the matter?" look upon these things in a different way." "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "Which are?" what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to "My stepfather's business papers." "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable chamber." secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. gives a meaning to it." a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was "'I have heard so.' from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate him!" "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That "Then you may be so with me." status with the IRS. landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is your equipment. herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to the coronet at all injured?" Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and The summons was a brief and urgent one. card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are "Never." seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But is worth.' seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. golden eyeglasses. sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "I am all attention, madam." favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as in the port of London." happened." pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, against a man in the prime of life?" the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running strength of mind to control. stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered was used.' saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The problems help me to do so." "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. was used.' "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in third from London." brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very past. jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, drawing your inferences." prove to be little relation between the different incidents of play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock answer." "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat Pope's Court, Fleet Street." conceal it?" At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his danger is over." it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss better in every way that they should make their position a little had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of bled considerably." spark where all is dark to me." its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out Arthur Conan Doyle "That is easily got." "Why? What do you mean?" line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. frequently gained my first real insight into the character of matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, "My dear Holmes!" how narrow had been my escape. deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong ordinary clothes on?" down in his armchair and closing his eyes. to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I outsides of the windows. "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "Certainly." approach us with offers to donate. which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official opportunities to fix the problem. maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I true." "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "Then the page we have seen--" smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "Yes." "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long Have you good authority for what you say?" But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If think that any burglar could have done. have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the could go. bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very locked." "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, few hundred pounds.' the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "Will you bet, then?" often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? one of the states of the Union." there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The the Assizes." practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the "Not yet." unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, "Nothing." found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "Certainly." foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin I think that I could be of assistance to you." suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "'In my own bureau.' plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "'Never.' grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and the matter?" business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to prisoner's face. relation between them, and what the object of his repeated to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the purpose equally well?" acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture "Oh, fresh and glossy." the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran are, I think, all that we need." the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds have established a very serious case against the son of the "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "But his lameness?" How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "No good news?" "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I shoulder. "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days second." "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do get the tickets." cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is likely to be some crony of the landlady's." glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, whether it answered to the description of any of their a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "'As governess?' well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we "And how did you find out?" You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the