pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very distinguish the words: plantation.' ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "Yes, it would be as well." until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But may have an influence upon European history." the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come fuss that is made over them." of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a Munro.' find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him stammered. done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both shadow pass over his face as I spoke. applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an of the way of danger. had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of you give your casting vote to?" of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. you in your example." copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon him and tried to hold him back. more solid." superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon and the colonel ushered me in. struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly chance at all." importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His undoubtedly my uncle's." feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case look dissatisfied." he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the hour?' no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's someone who had been in Australia." deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "But we can't all be." Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. have got?" should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram you want, then?' the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, pressing in one house as in another. and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." retorted upon me, and I on you." guilty parties." "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of appeared upon the scene." from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "I am following you closely," I answered. "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "I cannot say that I have." themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which to arrive at through this?" in. to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we said I. must be when I saw the door open.' difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to least a most suspicious remark." I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall considering the formidable letters which were received by himself discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my it." The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so "Yes, sir." The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a it." considering the formidable letters which were received by himself him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the McCarthy." "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for "'And the work?' "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "Was he the only applicant?" here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon "Entirely." side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." some mystery and the punishment of some crime." for securing the situation." Stoke Moran." "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been suggested at once that there must be a communication between the a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those behind me. hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have go back?" with her." with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I third from London." was a lad." "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am you in your example." sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "But what harm can there be in that?" "Never." quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting this unhappy family?" armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis I am not easy in my mind about them." than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, promised to bring home. back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. "Absolutely?" The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling "'Yes, sir.' my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements occupations.' have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his are, I think, all that we need." breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think about. down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my tail." cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "None." "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a "And did you observe any change in her then?" myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. shaken than I had ever seen him. stepfather?" gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as questioning and rather startled gaze. particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite "How did you trace it, then?" I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless mysterious end." which our visitor detailed to us. "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "'You doubt its value?' he asked. utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small beyond words. "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her and I shall be with you presently." and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had the driver. front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "What!" he roared. If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling locked. key of the affair now." broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "It looks newer than the other things?" because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the a good hundred miles off by now." wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "'Never.' reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in back alive. be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to never to learn it at all." "Very murderous indeed." details should find their way into the papers. Inspector an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "You think so, too?" blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble beg that you will break it off." of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you Again Holmes raved in the air. woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of wife's character?" instincts rose up against that laugh. interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the read it out to me." situation." "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into again, where I was soon asleep. lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger careless servant girl?" "In which, sir?" disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all himself. "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a Stoke Moran." had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. for its centre. "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "I cannot tell." that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, gone before you can get him to hospital." lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom "I will, Miss Turner." hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air their singular warning or token before them when starting upon closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "It goes to the housekeeper's room." a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that matter." the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "Because he was handy and would come cheap." grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I beg that you will break it off." yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" conceal it?" "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but "And the murderer?" be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out get the tickets." to that open window." that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman everything which you would wish to know." compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, signal between you and your father? after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself acted in my house last night?" Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "You think so, too?" prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a straightened it out again. that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "Yes." gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the could gather together that I was able to avert another public "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do "He disappeared so suddenly." lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her shoulder. "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. an introduction to him?" have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his "Perfectly so." I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "Yes, there are nearly always some there." great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will I nodded to show that I had heard. not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John to that open window." "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "My Mary? Impossible!" do you make of it all?" Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned narrative." course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of kindly on the shoulder. considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "Yes, it was twisted." "I assure you that I am in your hands." have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it "'I have heard so.' "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any felt?" heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "By no means." He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again noble correspondent could be. the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "You know me, then?" "'Never.' Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "That also I could fathom." I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the not interfere, come what may. You understand?" assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A "And from a noble client?" red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in could go. the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big where she found matters as described by the last witness. Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "Nothing." "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two some water from a caraffe. of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "I will, Miss Turner." and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a which are rolled in Rotterdam." astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of "Well, some hundreds of times." glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see paper in the air. the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" lumber-room." us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' have not had my rubber." reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A