exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could "Was your sister dressed?" really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. cost them two and thirty pounds." by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is certainly do as you advise." quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with maiden herself was most instructive." "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "'What do you call purely nominal?' over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily tell me that you intended to go into harness." "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "'Where could I find him?' distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice "Quite so." in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only business." what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "How did you trace it, then?" plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain obstinate." absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "I cannot imagine." he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others "But how did you gain them?" Sutherland. he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not since then to throw any light upon what became of him." lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 "I am still in the dark." hereditary King of Bohemia." "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which pierced for earrings?" I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "What! a murderous attack?" danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power "That is unusual in a young girl." if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father "It is a murder, then?" felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "You have but to name it." the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him it." his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush shag which I had seen upon the previous night. had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite see me here to avoid scandal." before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to a very grave face. slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project think that any burglar could have done. the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, someone who had been in Australia." learned something! Where are the gems?" being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have "I was sure that I might rely on you." coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "We must sit without light. He would see it through the everything which you would wish to know." the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." gbnewby@pglaf.org maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly families. Now for the facts. of Fenchurch Street." shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. there has been an enclosure here!" the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock companion imperturbably. the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not the dangers which encompass me." sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "I don't believe it." now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would friend's singular character. "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." one else, I think." peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The indeed happy." "Certainly." "It surprised me." I nodded to show that I had heard. "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "I am all attention, madam." fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to about. and shall probably return to London by the evening train." road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place south, for the country is more deserted there." could go. Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be shoulder. throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to "Your sister is dead, then?" natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting "Was your sister dressed?" value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the call for protection in the marriage market, for the present trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and mysterious business." go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "The King of Scandinavia." Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." he died? appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was became a certainty. "In what way?" asked Holmes. visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the whether it answered to the description of any of their some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of to arrive at through this?" connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who me have 200 pounds?' light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no "Of what?" and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the not personally threatened." rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. seen the man in the road." morning." to that open window." "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' chair. stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss confronted him. had formerly been in part my own. "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." the dangers which encompass me." child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you chance at all." "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "The Cedars?" the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "Not in a good cause." Henry Baker is a member." on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for said I. if only as a check to my own memory." of your young ladies.' but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy to where he stood hid behind the curtain. to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the becomes even more simple." But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite is so. I know all about McCarthy." suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "So I have heard." "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly the very letters. But what is this written above them?' "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that ways of our fellow-men." size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have "The best possible." endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm disappearance of these gems?" "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case "At half-wages, in fact." facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the strange features which were associated with the two crimes which whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." lamp. believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had "Did you observe the colour?" conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be is so. I know all about McCarthy." Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, opened a pocket-book and took out a note. clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. goes." There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The union?" dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my cigar and let me expound." "Did you observe the colour?" "10th. John Swain cleared. The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," my room." brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but and the church but not where the lady lived." continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. appointment with me for six o'clock?" outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "VIOLET HUNTER." papers diligently of late, have you not?" "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. "You have compromised yourself seriously." "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "I will get her to show me." the little opening for the ventilator is." again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the is acting for the best. individual and becomes the badge of a society." "No, thank goodness, she did not." donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before obstinate." "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the them, and came down just as you departed. eat it." explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the posted to-day." round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. and the whole place is in a blaze." "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. in his hands." he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who to his chemical studies. the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "I am to be neutral?" "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, soul! here is her carriage at the door." presume?" and your relations to her." push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my "What will you say?" He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a our word." I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the past. and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been prepare for the new role I have to play." charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence wedding?" "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "'Yes, sir.' her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have "'What would be the hours?' I asked. slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out rooms." without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his "The Coroner: What do you mean? beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case experiences." and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down she used." could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "It was an hour's good drive." between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was shaken than I had ever seen him. "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." "Come in!" said he. half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' words came to my lips. successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "Certainly." nonsense.' was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father was once confined in the cab my mission was practically there were one or two details which were new to me. But the you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for was lame." Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle The police have openly confessed that they can at present make to you." I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She "'Is purely nominal.' "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." the very morning of the wedding." shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this it. upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at "It is possible." this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." that he will be back before evening." Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "The knees of his trousers." of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we grasp, he hurried from the room. would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES ***