The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. certainly not very gracious." aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you manager. "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." the window, rose as we entered. "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" it were putty." sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left front of the hall door has given its name to the place. perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. to-night?" I asked. Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." disappearance of the bride.'" invisible to me," I remarked. Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." again, where I was soon asleep. the window, rose as we entered. turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a then?" law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. and wait." "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet closing the door. way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and the night.' which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a bearing upon the case." it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "Because he was handy and would come cheap." Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." soul! here is her carriage at the door." Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez him nearly every evening." And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face Munro.' PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "And how did he make his money?" easy-going way." "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I undoubtedly my uncle's." "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly see me here to avoid scandal." his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, is now desirous of getting those letters back." some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly danger is over." possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I union?" long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and breakfast and whispered something to her husband. the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round o'clock is it?" with the outside air!" Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang occurred." certainly do as you advise." Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of "I am to be neutral?" that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. not come at once?" Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide "I say that I have solved it." Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, so.' "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his "Do you know him?" in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. most interesting one." have got?" entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." "Holmes, the busybody!" of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he noting anything else of interest. for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil "Did your wife hear all this?" science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we gbnewby@pglaf.org laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." would then never go into court at all." vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that me what he had done with the three missing stones. "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors she to prove their authenticity?" Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was becomes even more simple." "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you and have this put in the evening papers." "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and The summons was a brief and urgent one. "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off your billet.' august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." and the colonel ushered me in. in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on coat-tails." ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "Get out!" said he. said he. defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "At the wedding breakfast." "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a "Then I do not see the point." "Who by?" of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man "My dear Holmes!" provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "My photograph." that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his crime. since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." writer." "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy leave you to your papers for a little." believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the instituted." "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and becomes even more simple." compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, man. I know him from the photograph." possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "How did you deduce the select?" was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the nonsense.' "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see ill-usage at the hands of fortune. Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their money should be paid at once.' you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the long narrative. any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked always that they were such commands as a lady might with skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "'How far from the body?' "How did that help you?" "10th. John Swain cleared. "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in vanished into the darkness. "But the mystery?" about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker had formerly been in part my own. I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "I have my revolver," said I. nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, we went to search for him, face downward in a little This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill this Miss Turner." "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step of the vacancies.' man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his nice household for a young lady." ourselves in the office." whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "No, but the enclosure is." 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, to go into your room and bar your shutters?" attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella II. building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to public press." when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "What is it?" fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he are, and they are waiting for us." us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' until night should bring an explanation. there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his any." to me. them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' "And how have you succeeded?" Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped "Very murderous indeed." records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. The events in question occurred in the early days of my the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "And what then?" "How about poison?" impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back Lestrade of Scotland Yard." heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well once more for Briony Lodge. dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "Seven!" I answered. maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly could go. conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." if she died from some sudden fright." "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the galvanised. "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the now. It seems that there had been some informality about their VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt this truth that in these little records of our cases which you tapping his fingers upon the table. agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a front of me. rat could hardly pass through." "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it is entirely a question of barometric pressure." We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "Seven!" I answered. jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his carriage. It was a chestnut." "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "What! a murderous attack?" stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor "But it has twice been burgled." "But what harm can there be in that?" successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of awkward doing business with an alias." any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of chance." behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when distance from the station, and there we found the young lady future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest see a sister of mine apply for." hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last fashion which was peculiar to him. preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that wedding?" 1.E.9. and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my clang of the bell. my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my breakfast." near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute examine." "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting "It is no ordinary one." one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the country, and eventually married, without anyone having a with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary cigar and let me expound." resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" do." "You are all wrong." up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to some place of shelter and let the county police know what has believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you "I should like to see him very much."