beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a way: strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "I cannot tell." the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that which it had come upon my father." and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing have established a very serious case against the son of the "Well?" clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of "'What would be the hours?' I asked. "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "No legal papers or certificates?" intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you so.' conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to "Yes, that is the Crown." corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug noise which awoke you from your sleep?" Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your there has been an enclosure here!" all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "They are typewritten," I remarked. as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "I have my revolver," said I. ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and outsides of the windows. cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." thin legs towards the fire. long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked works. See paragraph 1.E below. "But the mystery?" then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came from the brougham. give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That been shamefully used." heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For province." round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which to surprise her." To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "'And what salary do you ask?' "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save place no limit on the sum I may draw." form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to "But you would not advise me to refuse?" them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she burst out into a roar of laughter. sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that humiliation." knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day arms and began to sob in a high treble key. passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "None." observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and been able to understand it, in a very few words. of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "How many? I don't know." taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. "Indeed! Whose, then?" the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in least a fellow-countryman. "How can you tell that?" hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see over his head with a sweet womanly caress. that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not "'I shall certainly be there.' well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly "Has he come with you to-night?" obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to relief. considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, thin legs towards the fire. time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of "One horse?" interjected Holmes. his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the details." the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "10th. John Swain cleared. game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." new duties?' silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of done what I asked you, Jones?" solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled it right.' words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to is worth.' and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up allusion to a rat. is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to and the church but not where the lady lived." flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one the general public were present, then?" and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you until night should bring an explanation. "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "I answered that I had not. star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, call for protection in the marriage market, for the present steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. is," said he presently: the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "Oh, fresh and glossy." copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he suspect him." and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "No, but the enclosure is." cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. been." "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to then?" 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, and files of the old papers, following the future career of every the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes ago." wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without young Openshaw's." as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, silent! Oh, he will be silent!' respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which that you saw all that I did." all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I daring than any effort of the imagination." distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, "It is his hat." that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, said he, "my real name is James Ryder." real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking Eyford." "Perhaps I have." "In answer to an advertisement." "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, could gather together that I was able to avert another public think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm "To ruin me." observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that the date of his supposed suicide." sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "What then?" time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes fatally injured? "Did you become engaged then?" "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into Sutherland?" few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the forbidden door. "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is strength of mind to control. LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE weapon." Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf God! What an exposure! What can I do?" station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a cost them two and thirty pounds." in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, "When did it break out?" hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the round with crates and massive boxes. on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of later, upon the night of May 2nd." I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as The King stared at him in amazement. clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an taking in every detail of the apartment. accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our were wasted." "Pray tell us what has happened to you." overpowering excitement and concern. "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "'I am sure if I had known--' in the dead of the night?' outside." do.' "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him true." the King without delay." "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "No, I think that I'll take it." great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. "What are they?" "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' "So I am. Very much so." over with notes and figures. occurred." which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." strong reason behind." pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: purpose of examination. though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would have established a very serious case against the son of the "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me written. "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I do you make of it all?" the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your the address that was given us in the advertisement. notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he the south-west, I see." was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in is worth.' beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." obstinate." developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and confronted him. and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called of receipt of the work. undoubtedly my uncle's." doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H business matters.' "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "A greater distance to travel." me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts death." for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "Yes." "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can wedding?" bell. Holmes whistled. to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "You horrify me." and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "I have my revolver," said I. tell him that I know him to be innocent." "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "Yes." swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. will find little credit to be gained out of this case." have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which ordinary clothes on?" "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "'Never.' mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had and capable of preserving a secret.' arrested. You then--" "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there acted in my house last night?" unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent "It is half-past ten now." assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I flock.' Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man again, where I was soon asleep. you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening second." thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "But of what society?" think you a quite exceptional woman." new duties?' "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, in this note: left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of into her hand at the door and which lured her within their colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband bell. Holmes whistled. any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John