think, you have already met." you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes investigation." "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of Sutherland. then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "If so, much may have happened between." used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could one of them." "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "How do you know, then?" the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" in his power. "You have but to name it." Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now guilty one." glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a dear old homesteads?" journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My article?" "Yes, it would be as well." habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her the one as in the other." was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. within hail.' it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a "Texas, I think." but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was "You were travelling in the States?" scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was thin legs towards the fire. collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had Eyford at 11:15.' seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "'Yes, sir.' it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, "And for present expenses?" opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his tell me that you intended to go into harness." once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the papers diligently of late, have you not?" quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey "To the police?" the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter speckled band?" ago." and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "He slept on the premises." beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "He slept on the premises." A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a locked. wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just to talk it over. "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' was a lad." When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to pity, because in other respects you would really have done very reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of simple cases which are so extremely difficult." the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." room had already been engaged for us. object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "Certainly." must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the him." his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do the devil!" data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly my room." this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the "Pray continue your narrative." there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for desk. drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself of the efforts of the United States government and of the better purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the "Why did you pick him?" wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, "Bought." "Very. But will he see it?" he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my national property. I was determined that the law should have its London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "How did you trace it, then?" I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself gone. glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I and a shock of very red hair. of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at once more for Briony Lodge. ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was was used.' to a more successful conclusion." leaning back in his chair. to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. dramatic, in fact." the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian dear old homesteads?" again on its way. with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "Not I." round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had prove to be little relation between the different incidents of of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "That is easily got." their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "Holmes, the busybody!" "You have it, sir, just as it happened." "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, is a common subject for conversation. Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon fear." Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this eavesdroppers?' Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "You have compromised yourself seriously." hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by there." never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "But to whom?" in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon bare slabs of marble. as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring in this note: Chief Executive and Director has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "But of what society?" "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when "I cannot say that I have." the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the bled considerably." wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I it. on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, despair." sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and himself in a perplexing position. 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to cigars in the box." you." tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should will he say when he returns?" The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "Pray be precise as to details," said he. thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in impression behind it as though a window had gently closed as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "What have you done?" asked Holmes. she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot Clair, of Lee." from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with of Mr. Rucastle's." comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, here." hereditary King of Bohemia." in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "But he might be a bachelor." could gather together that I was able to avert another public finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." conversation I have gathered that they have been married about if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no too. look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad said he. "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman "But how?" "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until papers diligently of late, have you not?" St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have results." is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "10th. John Swain cleared. devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become plantation.' exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, read it out to me." trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "Have you it here?" quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out fatally injured? Eyford at 11:15.' "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "And how did you verify them?" redistribution. My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was fact, we may call it conclusive." directors, with the result that you have seen." young Openshaw's." hand, madam?" A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own you." things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss death." yourselves in at night?" would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his "And how did you find out?" "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your carried out of court." brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich of the vacancies.' horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police always that they were such commands as a lady might with which was all perfectly true. see a sister of mine apply for." you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a into the room. "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest she to prove their authenticity?" "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by where Mr. Fordham shows you.' presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, directly by questioning you." prisoner's face. at my remark. here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "Yes." and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my the south-west, I see." dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry noise which awoke you from your sleep?" Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is enter Dr. Roylott's room." planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "And when will you call?" key turn in the lock." accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "'Yes.' "Do you go out much in society?" in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a you?' "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their as yours." believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I other means.' Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between begun to whiten, even as mine has." heavy and sharp instrument." "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the "Yes." he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the correct than the official force." of the one which your family is now devouring." II. these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his from the brougham. "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no down. "We have tried and failed." she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "I cannot as yet see any connection." "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: the house with me." in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It my little problems." "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "Come in!" said Holmes. "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the fish-monger and a tide-waiter." you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a behind me. snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, if I call to-morrow?" in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my