"'And the work?' controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "Yes." in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. key turn in the lock." "No." - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by "Nothing." cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. it means?" but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "No, distinctly professional." preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover held up the lantern and gazed about him. enter into my head. "And your father? Did you tell him?" and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the The events in question occurred in the early days of my self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us himself. and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the over here." other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." locked." and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is "It looks newer than the other things?" would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "'It is locked up,' I answered. "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the have accepted such a situation. five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "He might." bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's conceal it?" events than those which have happened in my own family." and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" was lame." practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a But Holmes shook his head gravely. hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in when you have done it." away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt 1.E.9. discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which have had none more fantastic than this." room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales Leave Paddington by the 11:15." red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the there were so many in the whole country as were brought together its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King "This photograph!" never will be, entirely cleared up. "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "What then?" mystery!" hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was as the one I chose?' "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "It looks newer than the other things?" "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. It was close upon four before the door opened, and a Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from was a lad." gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder question," said Holmes, smiling. Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you said he. Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No "On the contrary, this is the right side." shoulder; "he's all right." through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled that you saw all that I did." however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further "No, distinctly professional." peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive points in connection with it which never have been, and probably a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "No good news?" "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your could gather together that I was able to avert another public "Yes, there are nearly always some there." call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "Oh, the cause is excellent!" may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE delighted to hear it," he said. charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "And who is her maid?" take the flies, but not before." "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his you?" intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more compunction about shooting them down." at my own good fortune. Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from the Assizes." things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation "It is solved." particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. "I have solved it." during the last few years, and there are many noble families to room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right "But how did you gain them?" prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So bonnet, and went out." one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "And for present expenses?" pressing in one house as in another. "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "Is he quiet?" distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "She walked into the breakfast-room." "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "At half-wages, in fact." trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out coat-tails." "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being "No. His orders were to stay in the house." and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact "Yes." time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "But his lameness?" - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double had this final quarrel? possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "It is very clear." if I call to-morrow?" that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "But the mystery?" "The Coroner: What do you mean? "Entirely." possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "What of the rat, then?" shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the child?' and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We shall use the carriage to-night." the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the "Was the window open?" I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's affair. the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his opened the door, and slipped through. "'What do you call purely nominal?' "Entirely." useful material for showing traces. The double line a little to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, whatever might befall. window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has hardly wander." closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he side. lids now and glanced across at his visitor. reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one him to be an active member of the medical profession." make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had "My private note-paper." result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide furiously. used to be." "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not business matters.' Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." followed. doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was "'Ten to two.' o'clock is it?" "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged 1.E.9. foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I up this clue while it is still hot." "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" "'And what are they worth?' I asked. away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "Yesterday." wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone most important business. It is probable that he will be away all Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to his cane at the bell-pull. by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "The rest you will leave in our hands." once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I through." "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that "Then you may be so with me." other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary present strange and interesting features that it is no easy folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "And you can do nothing until then?" manager. police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken occurred." It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt means taking possession of that which another person has a prior necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My the stones. broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "'You doubt its value?' he asked. and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was colonel looking down at me. important." of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "I shall most certainly do so." their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. one which it was hard to resist. "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose in. "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a a very grave face. relief. backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove "Deserted you?" "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "'Then let me do so?' even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "What I expected to see." This is what he says: all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I for the market.' me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "No bad?" "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the depend upon your compliance." over here." has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "Then I shall certainly come." unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view so.' Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, God! What an exposure! What can I do?" room had already been engaged for us. out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a into her hand at the door and which lured her within their strength." force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his