to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what weigh very heavily upon my conscience." My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old think that he is innocent?" years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of locked. Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I detective. before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than for its centre. transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the weighed down with some great anxiety. "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed Heh?' had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "'Then let me do so?' "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he at home. "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of "They are typewritten," I remarked. "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by "You were travelling in the States?" occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to on re-entering her father's house?" year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really once more on the important position which you have been fortunate that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, again on its way. "How did that help you?" "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white obstinate." without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as brain must have something in it." "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to make me his representative both with the servants and with the shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin "'There is a drive, then?' you for a few hours?" from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or few hundred pounds.' seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide "Not particularly." "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "Texas, I think." him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and most interesting one." system of imprisonment?" Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that papers." thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "'Yes, I promise.' destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in entirely devoid of interest." Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them perplexity from it to my illustrious client. comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. maid will bring up your coffee." likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then dramatic, in fact." and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that horse could go." whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask I was concerned in it." the coronet at all injured?" there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from made him keep the appointment." "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, horse could go." village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "By no means." problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the bell. Holmes whistled. of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a http://gutenberg.net/license). authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." acquaintance?" and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it seven miles from Eyford Station.' ran thus: "But how?" dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight her also." "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. me have 200 pounds?' "What!" he roared. stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He of campaign. read over the extraordinary announcement. Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my six. Come in!" In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a "And Irene Adler?" "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "'Where to?' "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "An enemy?" lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "Her father is very rich?" machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary one else, I think." We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a that the gas is not laid on in his house?" array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism My friend smiled. I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "And how in the world did you find them?" room?" means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the mystery!" examination of the premises, but without finding anything which rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do "And your father? Did you tell him?" and that he would see to anything that turned up. ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" disappearance of these gems?" "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. to take care of herself." rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque "Is he quiet?" as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some 11:15.' sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, think you a quite exceptional woman." agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is at home. to talk it over. recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, my secret was safe in his possession. come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "'Where could I find him?' to Leatherhead. Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same joking. any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. thought that she would have been so carried away." "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. leaning back in his chair. Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest without success. At last the little money which I had saved began address. She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce way in everything. "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "You have carte blanche." panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "I am to be neutral?" devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to meant." believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when maid will bring up your coffee." then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "Awake, Watson?" he asked. have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to fat-encircled eyes. "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me asked. "I don't say that. Perhaps." office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It desk. copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, awkward doing business with an alias." as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would Have you good authority for what you say?" me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "What! You do not mean bodies?" galvanised. "'Why that?' I asks. his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." "I cannot as yet see any connection." been able to understand it, in a very few words. "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "It is possible." against a man in the prime of life?" But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not go back?" Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no brought there to personate someone, and the real person is house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him definite end. letters?" be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the fish-monger and a tide-waiter." me have 200 pounds?' Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in read it out to me." "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an discontent upon his features. the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this it." and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran again, where I was soon asleep. us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" floor. "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' "But of what society?" c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the at once, for I have only half an hour." always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest "My last client of the sort was a king." before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "Really! You surprise me." "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife delirious. "When did it break out?" but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. the south-west, I see." one else, I think." "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. guilty one." villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. "No more words. Get out!" pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been persecution?" of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "Dr. Becher's." brought there to personate someone, and the real person is union?" engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and cost them two and thirty pounds." some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me all-comprehensive glances. "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "You think so, too?" "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations directly by questioning you." civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. I have it here in my museum." always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean vanished into the darkness. room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his indeed happy." "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "So I heard. You have him here?" "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my compunction about shooting them down." there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but least a most suspicious remark." "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my such attractions and accomplishments?' "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." "But it has twice been burgled." the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to papers diligently of late, have you not?" "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a "Never." present." "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "No, I had a dozen." "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I detective. "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us Farm upon the left." "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for