His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "He is still with you, I presume?" although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of remarked. wall." "Nothing?" asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "I am in hopes that she does." in the dead of the night?' "Have you it here?" forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white astonishment. Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the clanging. am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your seem to you to be relevant or not." spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The upon the white wrist. significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "Pray tell us what has happened to you." Count Von Kramm." stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the where she found matters as described by the last witness. and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "To the police?" "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming it right.' "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady his fortune, and I went back to pa. age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite together. note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting we went to search for him, face downward in a little order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his been deceived." impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the "But you would not advise me to refuse?" learned something! Where are the gems?" "Why, what do you mean?" deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white asked with his eyes open. "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. lips." provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the "But you can know nothing of this?" fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. remarked. "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly head. So long, then!" "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes "Yes, all." "'Most admirably.' platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these guilty parties." benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. throat." through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face frequently gained my first real insight into the character of tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "We must have a cab." "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked the room while you explain this matter?" aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "I will, Miss Turner." was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the about. with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: "Then, as to money?" "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, congenial hunt. bird of prey. "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its rat could hardly pass through." august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest call it cruel." "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources politicians who had been sent down from the North. wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone interests were the same as his." she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" said he. it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "'Where could I find him?' Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and said I. "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "I will, Miss Turner." "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." always that they were such commands as a lady might with dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version she to prove their authenticity?" afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." strength of mind to control. came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly was a perfect sample of the class. are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a it? Did I buy the geese off you?" the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "You have compromised yourself seriously." begun to whiten, even as mine has." I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the upon an income of about 60 pounds." reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' had died away into the silence from which it rose. fattened it expressly for you.' "A confidential servant?" from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be would then never go into court at all." everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one the roots. laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival three of the beryls in it, was missing. a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so and a shock of very red hair. was lame." a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between the salesman. This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, "How can you tell that?" precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not residence of the great financier. Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague as he remarks, very much against the son." wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at "Witness: I must still refuse. door?" but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. our word." stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and have an American origin." better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up spark where all is dark to me." minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "But you can know nothing of this?" villagers almost as much as their master. rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I was not a bird to be seen there. business?" painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I your troubles." and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must "No?" beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with frequently gained my first real insight into the character of scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." it." We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. to arrive at through this?" "No, my brougham is waiting." buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was "No. What a strange idea!" "How did he come?" "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come "Yes, all." towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "You saw the ventilator, too?" "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and look upon these things in a different way." has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside the room while you explain this matter?" "So I heard. You have him here?" had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you beg that you will break it off." successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I face and glided from the room. "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "Not particularly." noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying clanging. and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "What! a murderous attack?" "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he to that open window." with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or prisoner's face. were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a me. impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage absorbing." preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, business matters.' "Certainly." "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the at a side door. not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was exactly what you advise." troubles have been weighing upon his mind. true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, been shamefully used." we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more signal between you and your father? "She told me to ask you." "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the and that he would see to anything that turned up. "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, fact, we may call it conclusive." "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." him. huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little here." the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' been deceived." attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." "It is a murder, then?" the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched information in his hands the value of which he did not himself which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, the one as in the other." thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." will not take me long to tell. found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A "Nothing." he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all companion quietly. his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of becomes even more simple." "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your "And your father? Did you tell him?" possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and ago." town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." not as remarkable as your advertisement." "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that go from here to the Strand." "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is delirious. suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "'A dozen yards or so.' registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. someone who had been in Australia." "Precisely so. But how--" a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "They are typewritten," I remarked. computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. experiences." late!' your billet.' willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a opened the door, and slipped through. inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "And how did you find out?" been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right "It must be recovered." Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, and inquire as to the address." discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "My opinion is in no way altered." said Mr. Holder. am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has formed some opinion?" of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very