This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see during that time.' your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "'What are you doing there?' he asked. it." force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one stepfather?" soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "When did she vanish, then?" It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to business in the City. She little knew what. character. were new raised from a basin. Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, been." inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm residence of the great financier. process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while it. how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "But your client--" occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of companion imperturbably. to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. did not hear it also.' sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me intrusion of other matters." "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle good-night and bustled off upon her way. was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, "Will you bet, then?" animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that bled considerably." "Pray do so." Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to papers." upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's "I have hopes." Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "That is possible." me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "But we can't all be." platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "Then, as to money?" thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without your own bird, so if you wish--" My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and closing the door. "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the deduce something from that?" While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, "Did he not advertise?" He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting "Texas, I think." coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "What is it?" "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down "What are they?" "In which, sir?" man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my mysterious business." long narrative. my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "Did you become engaged then?" drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of me where it went to?" "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom opportunities to fix the problem. "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after that I may have something better before very many minutes are works. you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to deduce something from that?" "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a and inquire as to the address." since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "No." headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "No?" Surrey." Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "We were both in the photograph." a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "No, distinctly professional." "Yes, from Horsham." acquaintance?" seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one The events in question occurred in the early days of my "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what tear off another piece?' "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing upon the sideboard." the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John telegram would bring me down to your help." stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "A client, then?" be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "No, I had a dozen." "The landlord of the Alpha." wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next ashen face. see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten long narrative. loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only important." servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case not come at once?" the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was "Certainly." train.' "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came of the efforts of the United States government and of the better skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at detained." England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of if I call to-morrow?" works. own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of client, rising. the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the nothing with him." "She walked into the breakfast-room." before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the populous neighbourhood." "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet forehead. weary and pale-looking. sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and that before taking the final step I should like to submit the not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary "It may not come to that," said Holmes. "'No, I know no one in these parts.' our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, "Get out!" said he. "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and did not hear it also.' very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, man. Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, London for the present?" that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now "Yes, from Horsham." professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "Witness: I must still refuse. at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "Was the window open?" upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the showing my impatience. means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure was a loud and authoritative tap. way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be that, and I came down." of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. possible that we could bring him back to her? triumphant cloud from his cigarette. in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a fait accompli?" He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his Stoke Moran." it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a of them has the shutters up.' The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my my secret was safe in his possession. upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as present strange and interesting features that it is no easy He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it "How do you know, then?" Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by during which he might have communicated with his friend the anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "Yes." sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. said he, "my real name is James Ryder." there when the Rucastles went away." shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and again." into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less confronted him. stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, American. Then who could this American be, and why should he young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from salesman. investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for such attractions and accomplishments?' any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, gigantic client. could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not did not hear it also.' who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "We were both in the photograph." hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses "It came here." would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" Young McCarthy must be got off, however." possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "Have you her photograph?" determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return for its centre. and put his glass in his pocket. "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked particular state visit http://pglaf.org with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. with her." compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable conceal it?" journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was vague figure huddled up in the darkness. that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. straightened it out again. appeared upon the scene." qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "'What then?' I asked. "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been introspective fashion. of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open speckled band?" brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given then?" what these perils are?" the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their a little more before I quite committed myself. well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers compunction about shooting them down." "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." hands. bonnet, and went out." Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let secret." Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the "I cannot say that I have." tell him that I know him to be innocent." firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others interest. They are important, you understand, without being "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As waste of energy." outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. noble correspondent could be. his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against "How long did she speak to this Alice?" The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I "Why, it's a dummy," said he. upon a handsome competence. and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of mystery." "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I constraint." been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a words came to my lips. panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such "Why, what do you mean?" "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass "What, then, did Peterson do?" creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a morning." could go. deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." society." the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for becomes even more simple." she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be his wife has ceased to love him." us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two intimate personal affairs in this public manner." table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a him." the house with me." rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. "That's no good." every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped address. impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under visitors." sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might correct than the official force." Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his "Did you become engaged then?" most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have "Thank you. And your address?" during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain Heh?' Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "To ruin me." no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the