hereditary King of Bohemia." swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third Again Holmes raved in the air. "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching humiliation." "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had the warnings." boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an to a light-house. it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. "Yes." wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted was already answered. from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the God! What an exposure! What can I do?" from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a colour had been driven from his face. introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began this Miss Turner." mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his sooner or later she must fall a victim. into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "We have tried and failed." stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. "Yes." generous with you in money matters.' License. You must require such a user to return or shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my "The knees of his trousers." "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove call for protection in the marriage market, for the present license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "An accident, I presume?" importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had goes." and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, for the market.' to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under definite end. another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the with her." Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your the one as in the other." Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he "You were travelling in the States?" "It is possible." out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "It is solved." annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me "'There is a drive, then?' "When did it break out?" about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just allusion to a rat. present." flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been tell them apart.' "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose McCarthy." urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "Certainly." the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to is four-and-twenty." "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed were wasted." Young McCarthy must be got off, however." Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence visitors." essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses "What then?" then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was "Nothing." said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project "He slept on the premises." the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will straightened it out again. over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he "That is it on the dressing-table." whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. and have this put in the evening papers." a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since that the gas is not laid on in his house?" criminal. We have already had experience of such." making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have already been minutely examined." in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning newspaper selections." also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "I have my revolver," said I. the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that answered with a sidelong glance. blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name the coronet at all injured?" all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of deduce something from that?" "And sit in the dark?" sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his started for the Temple to see my husband. my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper "'And the work?' abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." pound a week." "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." because she had spent so short a time in this country that she Countess of Morcar's?" week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, said he, "my real name is James Ryder." and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as residence of the great financier. "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. chamber." "It surprised me." arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. over with notes and figures. "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself silent! Oh, he will be silent!' see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: guilty one." he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon away into the river." road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that train.' heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive anything to a woman, for she would have her way." Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs "Do you know him?" "Is he quiet?" fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "Perhaps we may make them less so." steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." signal between you and your father? "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. not use it unless it is absolutely needed." "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "An accident, I presume?" had this final quarrel? have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "It's nothing of the kind." corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case husband's writing, madam." "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my Arthur Conan Doyle while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I of the vacancies.' "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, tail." "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had said I. it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a "Yes, sir." "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I know all about it," he snarled. then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets one of them." with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. desk. The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as this truth that in these little records of our cases which you was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man "Yesterday." I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "How did that help you?" and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious point our research must commence, and we will begin it by hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is stalked out of the room. "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you "Quite so." buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. recover the gem." "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my I have it here in my museum." confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and means taking possession of that which another person has a prior "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as already been minutely examined." "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but trying to your nerves." cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "He said too much." King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and the inquest, and which are worth considering." "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left "What?" star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' and looked back. we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' skylight. quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who "Yesterday." "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." note?" the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "The murder was done with it." "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the the coroner come to?" woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend "It was an hour's good drive." man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely the devil!" Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us Pool. "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden spare." that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the open." "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he Foundation "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a tail." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally be.' our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that telegram would bring me down to your help." "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend know what is wrong with it.' persecution?" "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he about. would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring "Yes." Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee without a word or a look. "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall allusion to a rat. open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE The police have openly confessed that they can at present make clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At thirty. hurried away. annoyance, but no jest. away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "What of the rat, then?" "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "We must sit without light. He would see it through the some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "An enemy?" reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know security.' where she found matters as described by the last witness. flock.' the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from if she died from some sudden fright." Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. carpenter." something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something