"Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of woman." but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. me. You must get home instantly and act." page at http://pglaf.org may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "My last client of the sort was a king." during the last few years, and there are many noble families to luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the outsides of the windows. "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as fled together." I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through strong reason behind." actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" how narrow had been my escape. was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders back alive. "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "What then?" will take you up to see the machine.' There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came records." train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "And how did he make his money?" "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and burst out into a roar of laughter. "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. entirely lost his self-respect." "The landlord of the Alpha." admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "Absolutely?" "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might and I shall be with you presently." perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that read over the extraordinary announcement. and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked quite distinctive." hurried away. very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in and looked back. story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight "It may not come to that," said Holmes. from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement Mary, has deserted me." Street. the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project "An enemy?" it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "And I to find an enemy." "At half-wages, in fact." and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which Watson," he said cordially. without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. your equipment. Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "By no means." last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything Young McCarthy must be got off, however." stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a true." suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. conduct the inquiry." "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. lumber-room." the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." His smile broadened. the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have investigation." woven round him. repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you the matter?" that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that she slowly sank and died without having recovered her pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "And how have you succeeded?" His smile broadened. "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' despair." glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." written, and locked the door of the office after me. "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an impression behind it as though a window had gently closed have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? shall not find me ungrateful." 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending taking in every detail of the apartment. fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "And that is--" "That's no good." and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I down from London to inquire more deeply into it." your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as detective. "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "Certainly." tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." has little to do with my story." "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his IS writers could invent nothing more crude." and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "But how could you guess what the motive was?" by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in not come at once?" lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no important." he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the narrative." had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different the roots. Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your most important business. It is probable that he will be away all air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off best detective that ever lived. down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he article?" protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the very peculiar words of the dying woman?" he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you Holmes' thin, eager face. perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The ready to-morrow?' building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches Sutherland. "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." hereditary King of Bohemia." particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "Yes?" "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding "Precisely." "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "Was your sister dressed?" constraint." better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right to-night." he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not my former friend and companion. the room while you explain this matter?" gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the to have that photograph." permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations upon the shelf for the interim." the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do he. with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed constraint." thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are within hail.' were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard ready to-morrow?' it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "And I to find an enemy." fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not the running down." bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted himself to hunt down. I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its discontent upon his features. "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of it. to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I had picked up in the wood. as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather tail." and put his glass in his pocket. willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of "You think so, too?" really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless garden below. Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass Leave Paddington by the 11:15." of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly "I saw her in conversation with her maid." Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the particular state visit http://pglaf.org Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I see me here to avoid scandal." against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside outside. "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton six. Come in!" Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "He might." travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an recover the gem." "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to colour had been driven from his face. your most interesting statement." words came to my lips. the ceiling. "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of everything which you would wish to know." small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "It missed him, then?" were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle "Not I." 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." hereditary King of Bohemia." Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for clanging. crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her gbnewby@pglaf.org quite distinctive." an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "But I have heard all that you have heard." "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in Again Holmes raved in the air. and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, late!' "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "And how in the world did you find them?" "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a this unhappy family?" and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "Very. But will he see it?" graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "Did your wife hear all this?" "I am to be neutral?" it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." there." dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out on re-entering her father's house?" iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George and have this put in the evening papers." the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge look upon these things in a different way." it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the "So I heard. You have him here?" really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "I cannot think." "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that "No, I think that I'll take it." starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "One of his hands." "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the and it need not interfere very much with one's other lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have presented which may be striking and bizarre without being once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place retorted upon me, and I on you." "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing it." occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be kindly on the shoulder. wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is His name is Francis Prosper." "If I can be of use." ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. habit of advancing money.' expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing keep the flames under. and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer felt the room to be a little close.' is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, suddenly upon us." would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble "A client, then?" to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I 'I should be able to look after that for you.' the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and the so-precious time, but come!' bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent suspect him." a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" since then to throw any light upon what became of him." shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." ways of our fellow-men." depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his "To an English lawyer named Norton." "Oh, yes, easily." "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should "'What are you doing there?' he asked. beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among to talk it over. black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my suspect him." read it out to me." woman who has had her own way to make in the world. down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it "Imitated." "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "That's no good." to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court kind enough to tell me what I should do." time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by