"'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "I think it very unlikely." broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, go back?" already referred to. key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down ready to-morrow?' enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the Street. "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There "And why?" be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen room?" "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and words came to my lips. his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is over here." me upon any point which I do not make clear." look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "'Yes, it was gone.' that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that you for a few hours?" "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my "And your father? Did you tell him?" pity, because in other respects you would really have done very right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As knowledge of the world." better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "No." is entirely a question of barometric pressure." Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. eavesdroppers?' the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "Was he the only applicant?" nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "I will, Miss Turner." "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a "I am following you closely," I answered. "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "I answered that I had not. "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, cup of tea. creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, interests were the same as his." these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, "It is possible." reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one death." the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. over with notes and figures. "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether Surrey." "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of second." takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the could not account in any way for the presence of the missing leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "I will try. What is it?" at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "I was sure that I might rely on you." "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "'Ample.' cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." is," said he presently: "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a "Nothing." with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, call for it in person on Monday morning.' foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since lost nothing by them." did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the "What have you to say now?" to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed your equipment. There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" there in twenty minutes." "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his DAMAGE. "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke "You'll never persuade me to believe that." It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "There are none." and wait." member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "But it has twice been burgled." wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "'There is a drive, then?' "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, your equipment. One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to straightened it out again. and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and "And leave your case unfinished?" "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I his face. before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in Edgeware Road. pictures, libraries, or plate. out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, of Mr. Rucastle's." "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my might help us?" naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one "'I am sure if I had known--' both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "The vanishing of the lady." believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I light and attacked it." on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "He said that you could solve anything." was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "Never to return." "Stolen, then." in the dead of the night?' of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." "His face fell immediately. in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was it." comes from the middle window." "It looks newer than the other things?" month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was little adventures." envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." clanging. memory. "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that shoulder; "he's all right." down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone disappearance of these gems?" Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned your sleep?' to have that photograph." sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left instincts rose up against that laugh. list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should "'Which dealer's?' "And the cigar-holder?" "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I "I have my revolver," said I. way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "It goes to the housekeeper's room." tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this do.' stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." which are rolled in Rotterdam." "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "Thank you. And your address?" And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt "You are hungry," I remarked. any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." where she found matters as described by the last witness. a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "Yes?" attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to said he. so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included in my life." eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "Now, then, what's the last entry?" which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have tapping his fingers upon the table. "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook yards of it?' With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in again, where I was soon asleep. "I cannot imagine." of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote the so-precious time, but come!' I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried bedroom door." thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "A call for help, you thought?" "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their to-night's adventure." an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning "But she will refuse." "A thing like a cleaver," said he. time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "I am sure." "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not "What then?" as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "And I to find an enemy." should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of "'What do you call purely nominal?' me. were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "Yes, that is the Crown." Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, begin with, and I had not got mine yet." wedding?" "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found Sholtos." him to go away.' makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "'Certainly not.' "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "Yes. He waved his hands." is so. I know all about McCarthy." prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy fattened it expressly for you.' very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about least a fellow-countryman. pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and "What then?" some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "Yes, that is the Crown." that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands problems help me to do so." "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "What will you say?" "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided gone. works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "Yes, there are nearly always some there." stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which companion. look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "Do you receive much company?" he asked. there!' "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in said I. Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous delirious. rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the "How are you getting on?" "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive even of instruction." or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us have established a very serious case against the son of the "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "'And what are they worth?' I asked. cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "Nearly eleven." "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. conceal it?" nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa showing my impatience. and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the distinguish the words: had this final quarrel? great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the records." "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "I have my revolver," said I. had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I south, for the country is more deserted there." came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a light and attacked it." "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "And that is--" window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "And how have you succeeded?" figure." have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" stammered. "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently future lives." "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a appointment with me for six o'clock?" "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as "It missed him, then?" imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought