misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, lamp in his hand. she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "My dear Holmes!" really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich client, rising. with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." goes." All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in points in connection with it which never have been, and probably of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, anything to do with the matter?" given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered to-morrow." "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had matters immensely." practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness question," said Holmes, smiling. the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "'You doubt its value?' he asked. business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "'About the same.' the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still chair. no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was lost his Christmas dinner." 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a married her." course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. Surrey." from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for fled together." "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "Absolutely?" "You think so, too?" Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included entirely devoid of interest." widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "Dirty?" "And how did you find out?" herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side without a word or a look. me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a him." "Certainly, madam." interests were the same as his." daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I me upon any point which I do not make clear." when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing to a light-house. characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, fact, we may call it conclusive." "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and call the police, let the police find what they can.' eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the nonsense.' him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon "How many? I don't know." admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland never came back." enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "I am armed." you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "Yes, at the mines." rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "That sounds a little paradoxical." probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "Dark enough and sinister enough." which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little in his hands." works. "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it written, and locked the door of the office after me. How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled The King stared at him in amazement. a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been particular state visit http://pglaf.org not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "He is still with you, I presume?" She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "Yes, but only for you and me." room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ morning." The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet there in twenty minutes." than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there "'Oh, no.' way in." "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, "No, finished." said I. "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered character. Does that suggest anything?" us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing confronted him. makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and is a common subject for conversation. more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." "'You cannot say what it was?' I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always to-night's adventure." and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage "I cannot think." What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "I cannot say that I have." shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. said he. to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about American. Then who could this American be, and why should he line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so all-comprehensive glances. Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "In which, sir?" was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never "But to whom?" wife's character?" "Yes, there are nearly always some there." The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & "None. Neville wrote those words." tell them apart.' some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is From what you have told me I think that it is possible that Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the which are rolled in Rotterdam." creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who Miss Holder?" Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern ran thus: exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that never came back." may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He Arthur Conan Doyle "On the contrary, this is the right side." insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down lamp. about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. "Certainly, madam." gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in exactly what you advise." strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing and glanced through. was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the several quiet little villages up there." invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "I saw her in conversation with her maid." lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a to go into your room and bar your shutters?" mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see business at Coburg Square is serious." fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "What! a murderous attack?" crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle The telegram which we eventually received came late one night me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my be.' much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle the general public were present, then?" second window is the one that I jumped from." my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "One?" obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom Stoke Moran." clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable I. "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "I cannot say that I have." "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the that?' thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see asked with his eyes open. "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "What is it?" thirty. endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the crime." as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took burst out into a roar of laughter. "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have jewels which you have stolen?' respectable self." I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't asked. Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said had a long day." once more for Briony Lodge. hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a Foundation not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the vanished into the darkness. the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, "We must have a cab." "And what did you see?" impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. of his shoulders. "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the "Could he throw no light?" passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, in the hope of finding them." bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a third from London." while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, will be renamed. "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, "Pray continue your narrative." "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "An enemy?" and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the him!" "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and main points of my analysis." body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would are windows in it, of course?" "No?" alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and a suggestive one." broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in waste of energy." must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from problems help me to do so." to-night." As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an the room while you explain this matter?" could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of woman." case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his come either from the window or the door. My attention was "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its have one." how narrow had been my escape. returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it are, and they are waiting for us." of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and happened." "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney shall not find me ungrateful." her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was dramatic, in fact." feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main right! Sit down and let us talk it over." "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with back alive. he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "What is it?" matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a client, rising. had formerly been in part my own. I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the likely to be some crony of the landlady's." saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the "If I can be of use." stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at "It surprised me." eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 children over to America with him, so that I found myself without bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. was used.' "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "You have but to name it." companion imperturbably. and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a ceremony." Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings fait accompli?" that I am arrested." was not a bird to be seen there. value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the "The murder was done with it." us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off man. I know him from the photograph." "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide