gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in "'Yes, sir.' "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that should be taken.' "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the crackling voice. income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "Imitated." "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them developed." disturbance in my wife." I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the "That sounds a little paradoxical." "Not in a good cause." succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. "How did he come?" started for the Temple to see my husband. read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. than to us. "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "It is a murder, then?" experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed your equipment. chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience particular state visit http://pglaf.org any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and appeared upon the scene." return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence Cross for the Continent." before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "What, then, did Peterson do?" person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was these bleak autumnal evenings." responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely had died away into the silence from which it rose. weapon." one of the states of the Union." customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid think that he is innocent?" "Yes, but only for you and me." "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty "You horrify me!" London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up heavily into it. He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, a little more before I quite committed myself. his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, your troubles." of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't wall." business came to an end." "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the touch that coronet?' "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my charged with?" and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that feature." them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "It is possible." how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. said he. goes." my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their in him." towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he "Will you bet, then?" waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered God! What an exposure! What can I do?" "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. Surrey." "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very where she found matters as described by the last witness. hard-headed British jury." skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he colour had been driven from his face. taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in and it need not interfere very much with one's other It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have whole matter to your consideration." light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and call you and give you the chance." he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action sneer upon his pale face. I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I this truth that in these little records of our cases which you him to be an active member of the medical profession." because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "I don't say that. Perhaps." away to you." sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." as the one I chose?' hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. anything to a woman, for she would have her way." purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "Why serious?" Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert the so-precious time, but come!' remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to "I think it very unlikely." before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be American. Then who could this American be, and why should he his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." companion. double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "Who by?" "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the man. "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "But he might be a bachelor." these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes them?" The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "Where to?" in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in better grown goose." which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced three fields round his house, and there he would take his like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I shadow pass over his face as I spoke. are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt the night.' "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a spare." VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "'Which dealer's?' What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two guilty parties." Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as character. her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I that, and I came down." Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." floor. "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. and inquire as to the address." his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew leave you to your papers for a little." arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a shaken than I had ever seen him. that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did It may be so in this case, also." some place of shelter and let the county police know what has which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources in. The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, bell. Holmes whistled. constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, with some details as to your case." "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the Holmes. "'Where to?' Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous sparkled upon his finger. "You'll never persuade me to believe that." for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens murdered man." of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely was a perfect sample of the class. weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I light and attacked it." handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate lumber-room." seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A call the police, let the police find what they can.' hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The appointment with me for six o'clock?" A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was characteristics, but those are the more obvious." conceal it?" Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm "I warn you that they are very incomplete." "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, tell them apart.' handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save door?" him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. "'And the work?' maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "Your sister is dead, then?" adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "I am armed." lips." impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I this poor creature." furiously. success. desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in your equipment. you." records." "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "Entirely." with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" joking. have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf the Red-headed League." "I answered that I had not. age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have from the brougham. to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a chamber." Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. roused himself from his reverie. "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness sit on the left-hand side of the driver." leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "Not in the least." "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I as he folded up the epistle. "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon over here." "Yes, at the mines." "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as completely overtopped every other consideration that we both him, that man would not have given me such complete information minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "Certainly, madam." "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against wedding?" "And who is her maid?" set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. asked. "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you quickly through a disagreeable task. than was visible to me." see me here to avoid scandal." playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We second window is the one that I jumped from." Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds strong reason behind." both be extremely obliged.' ways of our fellow-men." thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps suspect him." a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, late!' whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have putting in the horse. Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "Stolen." "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "Where, then?" could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room friends, not even his own brother. living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "I should wish to." these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the "The gentleman I describe." Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with other means.' knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes not within a twentieth part of the market price." Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you him and tried to hold him back. brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled do." so far?" we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for that?' an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added bled considerably." begin with, and I had not got mine yet." Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the "Here?" Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "Was she in good spirits?" *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** all-comprehensive glances. "On the contrary, this is the right side." "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards "How did you deduce the select?" bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the the address that was given us in the advertisement. believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." the side-table." there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might "Just look it up, then." Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "I was certainly surprised to find you there." had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one leave you to your papers for a little." "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in