Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and "I am in hopes that she does." self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "Which are?" "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. companion imperturbably. the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes "Then you may entirely rely on me." he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his generous with you in money matters.' "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the coroner's jury." near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "Oh, fresh and glossy." solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the feature." writing, and yet I know it well." police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one "Married! When?" "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an in the dead of the night?' word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My down. theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "My dear Holmes!" of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "And you thought he was pulled back?" "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the "Look there!" said he. developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. distance from the station, and there we found the young lady Henry Baker is a member." mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the appointment with me for six o'clock?" there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "I fear not." "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out this poor creature." the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and away into the river." could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room was keenly on my guard against him. "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. and inquire as to the address." august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two speckled band?" I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "I cannot say that I have." enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "And help." their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent status with the IRS. so.' client, rising. find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must suddenly upon us." very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, fishes. thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "Get out!" said he. through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and eat it." way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms events, Mr. Windibank!" country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are "Quite so. She has her freedom." life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden Holmes." I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this hand, madam?" making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather even so self-evident a thing as that." "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a through." and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "I will, Miss Turner." chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a man. predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and "Will you go?" Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "You have compromised yourself seriously." The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous Lee, in the county of Kent." together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. quickly through a disagreeable task. Eyford at 11:15.' bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "Precisely." of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I my room." "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I becomes even more simple." answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "I will get her to show me." "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' Have you good authority for what you say?" grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He extraordinary contortions. "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." are windows in it, of course?" even so self-evident a thing as that." careless servant girl?" himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first bare slabs of marble. "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "'And the work?' "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is whatever might befall. is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet is four-and-twenty." "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "Yes?" at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss footfalls from the street. connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose bore every mark of being an average commonplace British should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; them, and came down just as you departed. whole matter to your consideration." he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. such person." "What have you done?" asked Holmes. alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "Ample." called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front bore every mark of being an average commonplace British possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police and inquire as to the address." be sorry for having acted so harshly." understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "'Very good.' clanging. and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by my little problems." when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, "And leave your case unfinished?" was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is within hail.' his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "And when will you call?" graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." papers diligently of late, have you not?" But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making "I promise," said Holmes. purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set nothing with him." "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well "'Ten to two.' the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could discontent upon his features. is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable I took the paper from him and read as follows: faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some newspaper selections." "It was a confession," I ejaculated. ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, of receipt of the work. think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the chambers. better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" point our research must commence, and we will begin it by much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right tension within him. Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the "In San Francisco, a year ago." to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a London for the present?" Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." forecastle of an emigrant ship. companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. leaning back in his chair. could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked "Ample." which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake possible that we could bring him back to her? as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "And you don't know his address?" have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "'It is locked up,' I answered. important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding "I am armed." in his hands." "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought get the tickets." where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon views." to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I nonsense.' "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" chemical work which was so dear to him. beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was miles off. wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I to talk it over. everything which you would wish to know." that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in carried out of court." people in all walks of life. five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure "None." from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different once more for Briony Lodge. against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming present strange and interesting features that it is no easy home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "Yes." "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst to affect your life." "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss occupations.' something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. correct than the official force." instituted." world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "How can you tell that?" "Pray do so." the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. awkward doing business with an alias." joking. "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. society." "One of the highest in England." comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You there." and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your