it. "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for fluttered off among the others. building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is never came back." Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I Pope's Court, Fleet Street." arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one like gravel from a pit.' indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "My opinion is in no way altered." prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked and wait." them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." have an American origin." his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most hour?' answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have tension within him. the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is to-night." tapping his fingers upon the table. "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to prepare for the new role I have to play." rooms." honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself "He said that you could solve anything." gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who my secret was safe in his possession. I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. past. I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the "So it appears." some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. 11:15.' "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond to-night's adventure." annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "Very. But will he see it?" to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "No." "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "I was mad--insane." rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, respectable self." Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. several quiet little villages up there." week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 "I cannot imagine." headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the goes." a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached "It surprised me." shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows the tragedy. a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, new duties?' or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project your co-operation." "'What are you doing there?' he asked. research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an if I call to-morrow?" have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we "Then you may entirely rely on me." dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to she might be summoned. "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend advice." depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "When did it break out?" strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "But she could not love him." have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a disappearance of the bride.'" brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, McCarthy's innocence. came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the I took the paper from him and read as follows: "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, unprecedented a position." at home. "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he "Why serious?" This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted carried out of court." 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning perplexity from it to my illustrious client. from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at "One horse?" interjected Holmes. her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of points to suicide?" "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." quickly through a disagreeable task. for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to "What office?" gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who and laid it on the table. little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a shoulder. inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "I know where it is." their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and cause to be." should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial I was concerned in it." and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "I came to find a friend." be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of and the colonel ushered me in. the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, minor matters until to-morrow." make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the to-night's adventure." It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further fled together." which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a the matter." "Yes, they were peculiar boots." came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of becomes even more simple." depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I "Texas, I think." his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "Yes, there are nearly always some there." idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. fait accompli?" fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly as he remarks, very much against the son." before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us done what I asked you, Jones?" been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "Yes, they were peculiar boots." Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not to-night." himself in a perplexing position. 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less suddenly upon us." written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with at a side door. more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered call you and give you the chance." "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "I cannot as yet see any connection." "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser been lifted and conveyed somewhere." Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the delighted to hear it," he said. "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to "So I heard. You have him here?" "Not in the least." son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "The decline of his fortunes, then?" and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "'Never.' "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon as he remarks, very much against the son." scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and approach us with offers to donate. have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is fear." what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' past. "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag answered with a sidelong glance. "My dear Holmes!" by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and "The King of Scandinavia." that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do said he. skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, sit on the left-hand side of the driver." Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a "'No, I know no one in these parts.' came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the cigars in their mouths. scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' read it out to me." "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to rat could hardly pass through." neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" residence of the great financier. to take care of herself." excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but any little problem which you may submit to me." Chief Executive and Director uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged "I am armed." the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" "'Yes, it was gone.' which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, of Mr. Rucastle's." "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the them, and came down just as you departed. perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in I took the paper from him and read as follows: "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, promised to bring home. "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "Never." thought that she would have been so carried away." there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" do." "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before might help us?" "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance Holmes rather sternly. straighten it?" "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, your own bird, so if you wish--" from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, interests were the same as his." habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "Well, some hundreds of times." with you?" nonsense.' But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had quite distinctive." "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which situation." "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child know all about it," he snarled. dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, putting in the horse. "Then, how do you know?" their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and "What have you to say now?" drawing your inferences." wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would business." Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There and wait." as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have residence of the great financier. held up the lantern and gazed about him. and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a knowledge of the world." and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to there is a decided draught." down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and out of this horrible affair." sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the bears upon the case?" in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was his forehead." voice. be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, allusion to a rat. "What have you to say now?" the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "I have seen the police." that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "Pray tell us what has happened to you." McCarthy." And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, "Not in the least." "What will you say?" "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the himself. upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "And what then?" "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave thirty. scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a eavesdroppers?' there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "I have a cab outside." we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He I nodded to show that I had heard. not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor money should be paid at once.' valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "But his lameness?" wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With third from London." "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet