as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips "Yes, at the mines." think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon a room. singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His that you saw all that I did." whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but Surrey." assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and like gravel from a pit.' the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, hurried away. hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which "But you would not advise me to refuse?" salesman. clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "Precisely so. But how--" remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "'In my own bureau.' breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's she slowly sank and died without having recovered her usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "What office?" "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the of Fenchurch Street." agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then present strange and interesting features that it is no easy thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the "'Where to?' waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" lost nothing by them." man. beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room and glanced through. "There are none." journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "I do." This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." directly by questioning you." need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we formed some opinion?" would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by a room. ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. sofa. This way, please!" you do it in twenty minutes!' in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his are windows in it, of course?" there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three mystery!" "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe directors have had misgivings upon the subject." lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off discontent upon his features. fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, opened the door, and slipped through. glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "How did he come?" the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor This is what he says: "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace out of this horrible affair." and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that Holmes." have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "That sounds a little paradoxical." because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are once more on the important position which you have been fortunate ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more people in all walks of life. "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the enter Dr. Roylott's room." telegram would bring me down to your help." thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "You think that he is dead?" it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' use an arc-and-compass breastpin." photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are way in everything. who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do see me here to avoid scandal." morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that begun to whiten, even as mine has." "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this to-morrow." play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "She will not sell." aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper easy-going way." "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that intrusion of other matters." and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you even so self-evident a thing as that." Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him becomes even more simple." But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" "'Where could I find him?' better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink away to you." coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "Stoke Moran?" said he. suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and my former friend and companion. "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I to tell." change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally which was all perfectly true. to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "You think so, too?" "I will try. What is it?" "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "Not in the least." the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "Yes." advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off the general public were present, then?" "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment that?' they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the "And your mother is alive?" indeed happy." seven miles from Eyford Station.' return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I upon the sideboard." difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were The summons was a brief and urgent one. of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, obstinate." but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "'What would be the hours?' I asked. entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might posted to-day." and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. means taking possession of that which another person has a prior "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "The rest you will leave in our hands." since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were character. "Pray let us have it, for all that." lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination impression behind it as though a window had gently closed him nearly every evening." doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is so.' charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always outbreak?" as he remarks, very much against the son." Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "Has he come with you to-night?" eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered criminal. We have already had experience of such." begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," experiences." to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' cigars in the box." matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a was a loud and authoritative tap. Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "Have you her photograph?" all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this that I can to serve you." Lee, in the county of Kent." dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is long narrative. "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. fear." own family. "What, then, did Peterson do?" her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low "'Yes, it was gone.' of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not just called myself is not exactly my own." license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective forehead. see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much within hail.' in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a bedroom door." "'How far from the body?' "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the note?" the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey beyond words. word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No there is a decided draught." simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such his face which made him a very different person to the round, upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune tightly behind him. engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my leaning back in his chair. breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "There is the writing." conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the there!' I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone strength of mind to control. side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and window when the police appeared." my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered back alive. a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall you." conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time "How about poison?" "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so already been minutely examined." pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his go--none." then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, "And you don't know his address?" valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was back to my heart. Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms official police." "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is new acquaintance to Baker Street. bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my which are rolled in Rotterdam." firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. for its centre. "Here?" "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it business." landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well "I answered that I had not. "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "Who was the criminal, then?" yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "No." in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it main points of my analysis." Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the acted in my house last night?" so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help right! Sit down and let us talk it over." "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "Do you go out much in society?" which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his too. Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had hereditary King of Bohemia." But Holmes shook his head gravely. as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." shaken than I had ever seen him. "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "Here?" Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same call the police, let the police find what they can.' drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely delighted to hear it," he said. about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish "Upon what point?" if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer "That is also quite modern," said the lady. could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, laugh and put his lips to my ear. "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "One horse?" interjected Holmes. the very letters. But what is this written above them?' consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then and a shock of very red hair. clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. done what I asked you, Jones?" business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the works. "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the on in his house." reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's face and glided from the room. father's place of business?" "Where is it, then?" the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the think that any burglar could have done. garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and