recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into his face which made him a very different person to the round, empty. he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you call it cruel." looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to back to my heart. simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you green of the new foliage. It was close upon four before the door opened, and a Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a you do it in twenty minutes!' "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather "It was." which was all perfectly true. "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your becomes even more simple." Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and know all about it," he snarled. clanging. "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken Arthur Conan Doyle voice. is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in status with the IRS. leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my "You have it, sir, just as it happened." belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "Absolutely?" finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "To an end?" hour?' you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this not within a twentieth part of the market price." pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "But you were on a friendly footing?" it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the better grown goose." she to prove their authenticity?" down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing in a friendly supper." is four-and-twenty." posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than you." had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in over part of the map. "What do you read?" naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "I should be immensely obliged to you." "VIOLET HUNTER." that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would I approached. he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not joking. strength." "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the do.' France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were "Perhaps I have." have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past was already answered. "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where like gravel from a pit.' street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. unprofitable." I was concerned in it." insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the "How did he come?" thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable as he remarks, very much against the son." the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a best detective that ever lived. him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable invisible to me," I remarked. "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." that I can to serve you." very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge done what I asked you, Jones?" urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "It is possible." whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his nothing of it?" but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small status with the IRS. nice household for a young lady." headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" "In the cells." effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg "Why serious?" observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, copied or distributed: "No legal papers or certificates?" reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside chamber." distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, arrangements." "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than not come at once?" "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making started for the Temple to see my husband. "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we country, and eventually married, without anyone having a think that he is innocent?" look upon these things in a different way." eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "Well, some hundreds of times." morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who disturbance in my wife." assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "No?" Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, problems help me to do so." We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his cigars in the box." which are rolled in Rotterdam." whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. lids now and glanced across at his visitor. out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be geese which you supplied to the Alpha." been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan may never be exposed to such a temptation." correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry this remarkable episode. hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were that I am arrested." as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible details should find their way into the papers. Inspector possible that we could bring him back to her? Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up Foundation observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally was keenly on my guard against him. "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." back into the street. "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" held up the lantern and gazed about him. "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my "I think it very unlikely." "But what will you do?" met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I brandy and water within his reach. "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "About a month then." should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable "Entirely." astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "Won't it ring?" other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he "What, then, did Peterson do?" the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided soul! here is her carriage at the door." very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could to a light-house. "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the man. best detective that ever lived. "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed in a very precise fashion." the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock desk. have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a corner of the building. and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur "No more words. Get out!" We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to directors have had misgivings upon the subject." "No more words. Get out!" with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs putting in the horse. and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was kindly on the shoulder. have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting future lives." broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will charge against him will break down." noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow seven miles from Eyford Station.' ordinary clothes on?" "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little Mrs. Toller serenely. halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his Holmes' room. "No legal papers or certificates?" "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "'And the work?' "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is acted in my house last night?" I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office my little problems." "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" feature." been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste disappearance of the bride.'" nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the events than those which have happened in my own family." turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "You don't mind breaking the law?" truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "Quite so. She has her freedom." line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project the very morning of the wedding." age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "You think that he is dead?" covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands tell him that I know him to be innocent." Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the at a side door. hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very closing the door. "It is possible." cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, drawing your inferences." "Yes." my special province." fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' But Holmes shook his head gravely. "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her and the colonel ushered me in. came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in thought that she would have been so carried away." Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his "On your arm?" what I may call a really hard day's work." passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well orange pips. not interfere, come what may. You understand?" he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." tension within him. "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, which it had come upon my father." smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been "Of what day?" not personally threatened." shoulder. nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my nothing of it?" winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "You have compromised yourself seriously." "Ah!" "Seven!" I answered. works. See paragraph 1.E below. villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of "By no means." keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "If I can be of use." brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "I should like to see him very much." said he at last. reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but would apply.' importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the have established a very serious case against the son of the dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the fear." not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a "What will you say?" for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a "Only as much as we can deduce." "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which the address that was given us in the advertisement. "Not in a good cause." intrusion of other matters." central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not you." fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "Ample." years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "'A dozen yards or so.' job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the