outside." that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, never will be, entirely cleared up. "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have death." difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. at home. "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my some mystery and the punishment of some crime." o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." chair. national property. I was determined that the law should have its "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be I took the paper from him and read as follows: forbidden door. At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled "She told me to ask you." Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in examination of the premises, but without finding anything which and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "Yes, it was twisted." repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the o'clock is it?" "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without footfalls from the street. attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "But who is he?" Lee, in the county of Kent." turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened was it brought him the coronet? clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet the dangers which encompass me." that the gas is not laid on in his house?" your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and of this gang." envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "Entirely." three fields round his house, and there he would take his "On your arm?" "Yes, only one." the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the seven miles from Eyford Station.' counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the get the tickets." this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "Frequently." out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be passage and a tap at the door. were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about she slowly sank and died without having recovered her "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this and I shall be with you presently." stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "Then I do not see the point." of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. weapon." which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away is acting for the best. the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "Yes." "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going strength of mind to control. Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "Of what day?" at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "But it has twice been burgled." force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, recover the gem." days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A unclasping of his long thin hands. The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a three fields round his house, and there he would take his case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" not as remarkable as your advertisement." us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I "Ample." together. some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "Yes, only one." "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your think that any burglar could have done. waste of energy." recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it you do it in twenty minutes!' "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. visitors." which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same lids now and glanced across at his visitor. remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no "Can I be of assistance?" could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. "My dear Holmes!" "Did your wife hear all this?" accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily so.' "In which, sir?" "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." fasten all the windows?" "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed yourselves in at night?" I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" and put his glass in his pocket. and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which License. You must require such a user to return or should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two place no limit on the sum I may draw." Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the "It was." "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your conclusions. horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get the general public were present, then?" "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' remarked. and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and than was visible to me." "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "What then?" her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, again." complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a fled together." "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to "'Yes, sir.' if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to cigar and let me expound." part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered you for a few hours?" "One of the highest in England." "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "But his lameness?" present." the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which as the one I chose?' thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "Get out!" said he. "Do you know him?" my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, prepare for the new role I have to play." one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a derbies." pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is "No." there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady "It is his hat." "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked grasp, he hurried from the room. be there in time for your coming." remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a it." without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At even of instruction." to a more successful conclusion." John Swain, of St. Augustine. "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very did not hear it also.' VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, particular state visit http://pglaf.org ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." all-comprehensive glances. "No, thank goodness, she did not." "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might there!' our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "I am about to be married." speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' absorbing." "Yes, there are nearly always some there." I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." unprofitable." enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, Sholtos." green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my direction." three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." him!" The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's conversation I have gathered that they have been married about believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom nice household for a young lady." in one or two places in England?' of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of "Awake, Watson?" he asked. and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the might have a private word with us. "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that the window, rose as we entered. "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but and shall probably return to London by the evening train." a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a definite end. "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate such attractions and accomplishments?' gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before woman who has had her own way to make in the world. families. Now for the facts. clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that returned to France?" were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who little adventures." prison!" up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are his cane at the bell-pull. certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was "And when will you call?" which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this This is what he says: he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me wedding?" charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to remarked. and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "Witness: It was. The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather It may be so in this case, also." upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a keep the flames under. the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies the date of his supposed suicide." "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his brandy and water within his reach. of your young ladies.' because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." chambers. "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens taking in every detail of the apartment. me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "But how did you gain them?" the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where "'A dozen yards or so.' feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "Did he not advertise?" works. See paragraph 1.E below. line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, "It is half-past ten now." of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "Pray tell us what has happened to you." He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every again on its way. "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "Do you receive much company?" he asked. him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an "But the mystery?" "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had such attractions and accomplishments?' waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has always that they were such commands as a lady might with family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed,