brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had "'In my own bureau.' violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" "But what harm can there be in that?" bled considerably." for its centre. "Who was the criminal, then?" soul! here is her carriage at the door." pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred "And what did you see?" the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the narrative." shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical ordinary clothes on?" matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "He said that you could solve anything." "But how did you gain them?" copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at the very letters. But what is this written above them?' know what is wrong with it.' voice. terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or "I shall be delighted." and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." clang of the bell. persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "I am in hopes that she does." receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' walking." upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to lost nothing by them." "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I country, and eventually married, without anyone having a go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated "And for present expenses?" meant." darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot simple cases which are so extremely difficult." It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. will find little credit to be gained out of this case." father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been shaken than I had ever seen him. "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small you." very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country horse could go." opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "'Oh, no.' in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for friends, not even his own brother. "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly Surrey." possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage "You think that he is dead?" remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of of campaign. She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by I shall communicate with you." the south-west, I see." the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until "No." another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we front of the hall door has given its name to the place. exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey handed it to him. may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "It came here." with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill do.' "'As governess?' the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards the inquest, and which are worth considering." "None. Neville wrote those words." neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before purpose equally well?" Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of have got?" she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' photograph a cabinet?" Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey for and were ordered to this address. I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment writers could invent nothing more crude." "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "'And what salary do you ask?' more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the "How did you deduce the select?" fish-monger and a tide-waiter." him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached "How many? I don't know." it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of have not had my rubber." "I know where it is." train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and certainly not very gracious." other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange or in danger--" "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "How did you deduce the select?" stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been so far?" breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll cigars in the box." death." "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips "And how in the world did you find them?" "No, but the enclosure is." habit of advancing money.' "'I have heard so.' Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came highly," said Holmes. such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began maiden herself was most instructive." Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards might help us?" remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of you." Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my will take you up to see the machine.' story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a way in everything. have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "Very truly yours, the tragedy. questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I written, and locked the door of the office after me. years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more fashion which was peculiar to him. having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest then?" The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to him and tried to hold him back. the roots. We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "And you thought he was pulled back?" "'And what are they worth?' I asked. are, I think, all that we need." good for you to do.' attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "I would pay ten." drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a the coronet at all injured?" "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. several quiet little villages up there." the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, himself to tell his story. "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "And why in hopes?" do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed Young McCarthy must be got off, however." though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look "I saw her in conversation with her maid." "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to strode off upon his way. self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, "Why? What do you mean?" "Yes, certainly." conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into foresight and the moral retrogression?" "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be one of them." and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "My Mary? Impossible!" the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the tear off another piece?' "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "I was certainly surprised to find you there." loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened already been minutely examined." Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us main points of my analysis." years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "Whose house is it?" nonsense.' broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for "Then I can wait in the next room." Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "But you can know nothing of this?" least a most suspicious remark." had died away into the silence from which it rose. persecution?" "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' my room." said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had "Not in the least." I am not easy in my mind about them." "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the whatever might befall. is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. me." to talk it over. was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, miles off. desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." charged with?" by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to ashen face. "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a Literary Archive Foundation aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must "I say that I have solved it." be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his point our research must commence, and we will begin it by A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. which I could not give. He asked for Alice. foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. success. "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I said I. The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about had this final quarrel? firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some said I. creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed to have been novel and of interest." which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his recover the gem." hardly wander." many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of "Nothing." their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, "In the cells." "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both ceremony." "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was pity, because in other respects you would really have done very tell him that I know him to be innocent." whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." which are rolled in Rotterdam." shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few questionable one." sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the know what is wrong with it.' "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting problems help me to do so." civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman away to you." he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." time." at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was the coroner come to?" creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." "Dr. Becher's." "Will you go?" "But what harm can there be in that?" "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: must be when I saw the door open.' his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself see a sister of mine apply for." "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks "But his lameness?" is so. I know all about McCarthy." "In the cells." afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no "Yes." entirely lost his self-respect." "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From I nodded again. parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this "No legal papers or certificates?" He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "Yes." 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace papers must be those that are destroyed.' "Yes, all." scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, "And how did he make his money?" saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "There is the writing." "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get his knees, staring into the fire. "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR