"This photograph!" "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I like that before?" penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of the very letters. But what is this written above them?' room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "Dark enough and sinister enough." 1.E.9. The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said nice household for a young lady." "Not in a good cause." "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "Why? What do you mean?" elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs "I see many objections to any such theory." other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to I am not easy in my mind about them." "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, appeal." "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set writers could invent nothing more crude." "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "I would give my fortune to have them back." 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "But you can know nothing of this?" understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first business came to an end." Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with you." and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she deduce something from that?" "Dr. Becher's." The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by "An enemy?" "Yes." the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "Yes, sir." greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "It is a murder, then?" harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." questionable one." keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this handed it to him. of Fenchurch Street." and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "'Where could I find him?' registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can the bottom.' never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "Now, then, what's the last entry?" the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much are, and they are waiting for us." "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must nonsense.' "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was You want to know what became of those geese?" "I guessed as much." "But we can't all be." and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "It surprised me." "'In my own bureau.' business in the City. She little knew what. hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. this truth that in these little records of our cases which you shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "You don't mind breaking the law?" hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man second window is the one that I jumped from." fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. shoulder; "he's all right." off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be sake, don't!" "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I entirely lost his self-respect." a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "You have it, sir, just as it happened." Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "In San Francisco, a year ago." the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, colonel looking down at me. outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our these bleak autumnal evenings." came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a later, upon the night of May 2nd." lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. "And now?" He raised his hand. was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to "Texas, I think." Heh?' man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from "You are all wrong." "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. I think that I could be of assistance to you." shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for "Yes, they were peculiar boots." up this clue while it is still hot." unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "Well?" purpose equally well?" Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found have one." a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a of Mr. Rucastle's." remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" their singular warning or token before them when starting upon his cane at the bell-pull. impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had particular state visit http://pglaf.org because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some morning." "I am about to be married." that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said "How on earth--" lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, orange pips. ways including including checks, online payments and credit card "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. dates and names. gives a meaning to it." world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of Mrs. Toller serenely. "Yes, the wine-cellar." o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the know all about it," he snarled. reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have Henry Baker is a member." means taking possession of that which another person has a prior "Where, indeed?" of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell washing it down with a long draught of water. he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. "You are all wrong." "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he standing smiling on the door-step. unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional hopeless attempt at recovering them." thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had for its centre. harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, be. "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he about. "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "You heard nothing yourself last night?" never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, grasp, he hurried from the room. "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet look dissatisfied." constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "It is true that I have been generally successful." Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been Leadenhall Street--and--" time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat him to be an active member of the medical profession." father's place of business?" "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "An accident, I presume?" I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "My dear Holmes!" he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was is worth.' sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by get her out of the way." work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 "'What do you call purely nominal?' next day. "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I the ceiling. The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to wedding?" "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady said he. carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this not fit the lock." stammered. "Where, then, is my wife?" crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already security.' doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for weary and pale-looking. We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the have got?" company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on she slowly sank and died without having recovered her father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "My opinion is in no way altered." "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. him to go away.' this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll as this. Pray let me have the details." "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the flock.' dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking particular state visit http://pglaf.org "And from a noble client?" wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time asked. "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "'Certainly not.' "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I over with notes and figures. one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and upon a handsome competence. "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all strength in the others." dead, shall be safe with us." into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an might help us?" surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous so.' enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "I will, Miss Turner." you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding to have that photograph." "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the fait accompli?" as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "It may not come to that," said Holmes. the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. himself. "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had delighted to hear it," he said. and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours "About a month then." Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "Dr. Becher's." threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room "So I heard. You have him here?" in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in "'No, I know no one in these parts.' questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, ill-usage at the hands of fortune. hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom that I am arrested." side. Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I "He is dead," cried several voices. It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the telegram would bring me down to your help." "I guessed as much." "I promise," said Holmes. feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort the one as in the other." came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get was it brought him the coronet? chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "'I shall certainly be there.' "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." "My Mary? Impossible!" went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my the devil!" "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence we went to search for him, face downward in a little science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in companion imperturbably. off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. now. It seems that there had been some informality about their occupations.' I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, foot. cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest hour." squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle this Miss Turner." children over to America with him, so that I found myself without family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that your only hope of safety." stood on the top of it. this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing acted in my house last night?"