her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great observed. the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the as this. Pray let me have the details." stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some "Why serious?" mysterious end." residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the fishes. the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about "'What do you call purely nominal?' demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found gone. and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was sake, don't!" with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "He is dead," cried several voices. her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, shoulder; "he's all right." "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. his face which made him a very different person to the round, "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" said he at last. Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been outside." at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be to-morrow." Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "Whose house is it?" "And sit in the dark?" could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that window when the police appeared." strange features which were associated with the two crimes which room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in drawing your inferences." married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." out of this horrible affair." it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "Indeed! Whose, then?" "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for you in your example." presume?" upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "Bought." "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness business?" bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The a very grave face. face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the me. is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too "Then you may be so with me." "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny Surrey." rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a "The Cedars?" Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "You have but to name it." offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up but preventing her from injuring another. "You think that he is dead?" "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you so far?" bachelor.' lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not "'There is a drive, then?' unprofitable." "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "That is it on the dressing-table." call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. excitement. impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he congratulate you again." be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" recover the gem." very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "You heard nothing yourself last night?" most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I bird I ate is country bred." in this note: The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had article?" reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, during which he might have communicated with his friend the very old mansion. "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "Yes, at the mines." "Yes." reach." "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do go back?" which was all perfectly true. over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in may never be exposed to such a temptation." I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "How on earth--" Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, "But not more so than I to find you." very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few "By no means." of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at seen the man in the road." little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy call the police, let the police find what they can.' "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "I was sure that I might rely on you." interests were the same as his." sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; "Never to return." "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some Clair, of Lee." "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. highly," said Holmes. "I guessed as much." ways of our fellow-men." "So I am. Very much so." he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm without success. At last the little money which I had saved began marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "I shall be delighted." "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover someone who had been in Australia." There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four "Yes." twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself indeed which he could not unravel. "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the "And now?" He raised his hand. Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, God! What an exposure! What can I do?" where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To was not a bird to be seen there. tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches Lestrade of Scotland Yard." 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. within hail.' horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations to tackle the facts." was keenly on my guard against him. shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and get the tickets." should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it threw himself down with his face to the pillow. course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are characteristics, but those are the more obvious." leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down system of imprisonment?" reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "May I see it?" who was a member of your goose club." "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of "Proceed, then." had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "Yes, only one." breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "Then I am your man." make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I with her." there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, bears upon the case?" that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had visitors." overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. I leave." "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it bearing upon the case." story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "Yes." pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "This concluded the examination of the witness." shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "But she could not love him." access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and Holmes' thin, eager face. the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which and put his glass in his pocket. it right.' "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the furiously. The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came skylight. my room." Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House manager. difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were wife's character?" At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the the warnings." that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional definite end. "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." photograph a cabinet?" SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange you understand?" now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, at home. my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the the address that was given us in the advertisement. that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. "I cannot tell." "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and present." I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "But his left-handedness." narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the information in his hands the value of which he did not himself "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt be sorry for having acted so harshly." a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he invisible to me," I remarked. electronic works finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day if I call to-morrow?" "This photograph!" go--none." before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of "Perfectly so." opened a pocket-book and took out a note. means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "A confidential servant?" "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have my room." interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its is worth.' that there was nothing in it, after all." breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices correct than the official force." must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel night.' said he. here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad upon a handsome competence. "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the from the brougham. "How do you know, then?" her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, vanished into the darkness. logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "Then you may entirely rely on me." companion imperturbably. above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him business?" been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "It was." you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." read it out to me." re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat "Perhaps I have." rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the them, and came down just as you departed. glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had that before taking the final step I should like to submit the It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an said I. and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "Yes, I have one waiting." it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied occurred." detained." utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside "Precisely." our word." "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "Pray do so." my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to said he at last. into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right "But what is it you wish?" are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others is acting for the best. "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding is entirely a question of barometric pressure." hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, straightened it out again. might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was all-comprehensive glances. really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned distinguish the words: given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a "You don't mind breaking the law?" neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure words came to my lips. gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." so.' chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be for and were ordered to this address. not come at once?" "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid "'Never.' "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the and have this put in the evening papers." Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute