learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have me what he had done with the three missing stones. photograph a cabinet?" me." receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a ashen face. puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. conceal it?" the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "But she will refuse." Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when off." any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project "None. Neville wrote those words." in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" affection." begun to whiten, even as mine has." man. but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door me where it went to?" You can understand that this register and diary may implicate array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "How are you getting on?" Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "Yes." connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our "If I can be of use." confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There and the whole place is in a blaze." you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the the tragedy. presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. arrested. You then--" "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any he died? name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, hurried by. beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "And I." the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in round and wave him away like that.' pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, "How are you getting on?" scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and "And the cigar-holder?" many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "It is his hat." Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. 'I should be able to look after that for you.' the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As "It's nothing of the kind." nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "'I have heard so.' elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which eat it." to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left had picked up in the wood. send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. on re-entering her father's house?" laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square crime." "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his "Yes." photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the good-night and bustled off upon her way. Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be away into the river." Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that nonsense.' papers." must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the place of silver." "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened my friend's incisive reasoning. be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with asked with his eyes open. before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." test if we have an answer to our advertisement." I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "It was." number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and questionable one." "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had to that open window." much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in him. pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." words came to my lips. instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "9th. McCauley cleared. delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. dear old homesteads?" myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to problems help me to do so." where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." have an American origin." sneer upon his pale face. hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project "I have solved it." bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the mysterious business." where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no on re-entering her father's house?" manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue down in his armchair and closing his eyes. me what he had done with the three missing stones. Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the colour had been driven from his face. grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "That's no good." "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a not use it unless it is absolutely needed." state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." nothing of it?" The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have your only hope of safety." edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we coat-tails." leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a him nearly every evening." attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point grasp, he hurried from the room. in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled once more for Briony Lodge. journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, During two years I have had three consultations and one small desk. "Oh, yes, easily." innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "You horrify me!" brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "May I see it?" "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her existence." street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. Pope's Court. "It is solved." "No, I think that I'll take it." but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. unkempt, staring out at me. "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, "I warn you that they are very incomplete." would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, be.' or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in question," said Holmes, smiling. assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "It goes to the housekeeper's room." shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at was already answered. feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "Why did you beat the pavement?" upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. never came back." "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of shoulder. "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake place no limit on the sum I may draw." he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his of Mr. Rucastle's." swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great weapon." went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and used to be." for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." paper in the air. "I do." suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little to-night?" I asked. companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a the child." be sorry for having acted so harshly." hand, madam?" way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away to where he stood hid behind the curtain. hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of to affect your life." "No." good-night and bustled off upon her way. buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime will find little credit to be gained out of this case." he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know interest. They are important, you understand, without being outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one to his chemical studies. circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for not come at once?" for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," salesman. I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl had died away into the silence from which it rose. over part of the map. "What do you read?" unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far goes." "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then the station." that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." married her." prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." case before our client came into the room." know that the truth is known." window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the "'Yes, sir.' "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his obstinate." glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, to-night." and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, "The rest you will leave in our hands." matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is direction." journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus I leave." woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you "One of the highest in England." whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like meant it for the best. "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and back into the street. crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak will take you up to see the machine.' o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called joking. mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so make me his representative both with the servants and with the nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "That sounds a little paradoxical." "I cannot say that I have." there when the Rucastles went away." "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She in. gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. "No good news?" clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "Not particularly." course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. be. "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "No sign of it?" "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no "What have you to say now?" companion. blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay