me." "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a particular state visit http://pglaf.org much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for I took the paper from him and read as follows: fish-monger and a tide-waiter." that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your third from London." myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, visitors." to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey point in the dark hollow of his hand. 1.F. constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously "Not in a good cause." Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped interests were the same as his." constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, upon a handsome competence. casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "'Certainly,' I answered. centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "That is easily got." remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project and prosperity to your house. Good-night." Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. sake, don't!" I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of very old mansion. reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "Did you become engaged then?" despair." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for for its centre. "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. was a lad." incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "You are all wrong." that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried imbecility!" he cried. invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or returned to France?" sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the front of me. "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water "Will you go?" are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "What is it, then--a fire?" into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with we went to search for him, face downward in a little that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face Holmes' room. Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." should be so warm over such a trifle." had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "I have my revolver," said I. "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or "No more words. Get out!" "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in should be taken.' "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my burst into a hearty fit of laughter. Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a Holmes rather sternly. course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me question," said Holmes, smiling. remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "Very. But will he see it?" had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came roused himself from his reverie. make me his representative both with the servants and with the and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice "It surprised me." him. "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' least a fellow-countryman. battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this lamp. "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For "Thank you. And your address?" came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." she used." charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will his grey eyes. suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "She told me to ask you." into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" burst into a hearty fit of laughter. Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband at my own good fortune. balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little that he will be back before evening." to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "Look there!" said he. enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free highroad, where all traces were lost. I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most fire. You quite follow me?" "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready if I call to-morrow?" hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." you found me to-night--and running through the front room she speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no quick march!" horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. the matter?" "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned fled together." you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be "From his hat?" some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, upon an income of about 60 pounds." "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, carriage. It was a chestnut." little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. gone. "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." on re-entering her father's house?" resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" was used.' stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the your troubles." sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "Tired-looking or fresh?" years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a quite distinctive." of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. outbreak?" corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all for and were ordered to this address. "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get letters?" there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting people in all walks of life. business." The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your conceal it?" When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that deduce something from that?" "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a least a most suspicious remark." distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work What do you deduce from it?" slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for there is a decided draught." her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you is," said he presently: International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make behind me. thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now peculiar to him. shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to "But I have heard all that you have heard." "Nothing." "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. future lives." merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was these bleak autumnal evenings." will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the "BALLARAT." fear." "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are away in different directions, and I went off to make my own friend's singular character. fish-monger and a tide-waiter." anything to a woman, for she would have her way." corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but promised to bring home. partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "To the police?" quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads a room. "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "Nor running a chance of arrest?" covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "I am armed." noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done said he. London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and detained." for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which "And that is--" informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "Tired-looking or fresh?" age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint distance from the station, and there we found the young lady stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no in a very precise fashion." clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly point our research must commence, and we will begin it by "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should "I would give my fortune to have them back." When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm "She will not sell." assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had both be extremely obliged.' de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to been able to understand it, in a very few words. upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that interest. They are important, you understand, without being many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' "You saw the ventilator, too?" Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' cheerful." relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in "But not more so than I to find you." benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "I shall be delighted." all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any taking in every detail of the apartment. them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "My opinion is in no way altered." fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. see me here to avoid scandal." outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" there." Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day sound at heart." "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily the dangers which encompass me." "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. humiliation." six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the to that open window." stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and colonel looking down at me. "What! Had he lost his wife?" Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here the bottom.' Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said crime. in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley