a suggestive one." bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under returning from some small jollification and was making his way at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and "He is dead," cried several voices. a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. roused himself from his reverie. envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it just called myself is not exactly my own." who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the "Entirely." he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven presume?" returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. "What do you mean?" noting anything else of interest. upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir "No, but the enclosure is." the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in results." written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A together. "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with legal crime." table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "By all means." blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "I cannot as yet see any connection." during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "Ah!" prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "None." me." "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If married her." already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a that there was nothing in it, after all." the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite character. waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid residence of the great financier. note?" his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "Entirely." in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains London for the present?" been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round believe that I should never have any practice at all. "The rest you will leave in our hands." "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "Then you may entirely rely on me." unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the fattened it expressly for you.' thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of "Was there a secret marriage?" vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." his huge brown hands. he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to he died? shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "Witness: It was. He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and simple cases which are so extremely difficult." a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" politicians who had been sent down from the North. gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, here and I will read it to you: "She walked into the breakfast-room." and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. the stones. a monotonous occupation." to-night." crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing then?" "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple Clair, of Lee." "No bad?" low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until Young McCarthy must be got off, however." the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave swore that no one else had been in the front room during the tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked leave you to your papers for a little." Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of away to you." concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "This concluded the examination of the witness." known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey "By no means." of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and "I promise," said Holmes. was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the returning from some small jollification and was making his way would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of at a side door. "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "Then you may entirely rely on me." front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. fish-monger and a tide-waiter." opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and that?' while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case whatever might befall. "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in made him keep the appointment." received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "'Most admirably.' it." even so self-evident a thing as that." "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I society." her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his may have an influence upon European history." wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle already been minutely examined." the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "Yes, I have one waiting." "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" house for five minutes.' The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." room?" marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, which we had just quitted. her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and congratulate you again." "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the is acting for the best. of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious think, you have already met." behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "'Stolen!' he cried. conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, important." Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for it." "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he extraordinary contortions. disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may "You don't mind breaking the law?" the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my "Precisely so. But how--" previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "To an end?" that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of she used." mysterious business." his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go chill to my heart. "I would pay ten." happened." Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "No. What a strange idea!" Count Von Kramm." brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. point our research must commence, and we will begin it by fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "You are certainly joking, Holmes." I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly opportunities to fix the problem. "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell "But how could you guess what the motive was?" any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of 'please.'" "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "The decline of his fortunes, then?" provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "'In my own bureau.' the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. horse could go." really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the make me his representative both with the servants and with the bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the seen the man in the road." locked. "BALLARAT." and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, answer." reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study nothing with him." coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob disappearance of the bride.'" if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite enter Dr. Roylott's room." tied." pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "Certainly, madam." even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the notes," he said. "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the infinite languor in his face. but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of you do it in twenty minutes!' another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I cigars in the box." "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." distance from the station, and there we found the young lady tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have "Tired-looking or fresh?" "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which looking up at the numbers of the houses." "Well?" I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a client, rising. said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "You will not go there first?" "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend it." "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "'Yes, I promise.' allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried question," said Holmes, smiling. off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I outbreak?" once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and past. panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "You have it, sir, just as it happened." "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded here and I will read it to you: that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" interest. They are important, you understand, without being "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." there was no need for father to know." granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will carpenter." to miss it." I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that your troubles." not personally threatened." very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, and the church but not where the lady lived." confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking door?" and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "On Monday." mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the in my life." invisible to me," I remarked. and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have side. "I will not look." quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his jewels which you have stolen?' "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss answered with a sidelong glance. estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can entirely lost his self-respect." could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he chamber." The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "At half-wages, in fact." "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, you." bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with newspaper selections." it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took indeed which he could not unravel. it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' tell them apart.' "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, there were one or two details which were new to me. But the years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich "Entirely." "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the "What can you not understand?" Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress never came back." It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "By no means." to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you sooner or later she must fall a victim. running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a "And how did you find out?" way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." peculiar to him. is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "I should wish to." points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "But you would not advise me to refuse?" to-night?' "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to sparkled upon his finger. "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a over with notes and figures. whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or said I. a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled to where he stood hid behind the curtain. there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" "In what way?" asked Holmes. into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "Certainly."