"I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or the south-west, I see." appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such questionable one." Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "You have carte blanche." "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion the coronet in his hands?" "What do you mean?" "It is possible." "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "His face fell immediately. heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "And you don't know his address?" "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall that you wished to speak to me?' 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm again on its way. beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "Bought." which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "And from a noble client?" with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or me where it went to?" over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from not, dad?" she asked. "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the once more to my work. "And from a noble client?" vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter be. "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We assist you in forming an opinion." scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and "We have tried and failed." glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to hard-headed British jury." clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "I cannot imagine." "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom more terrible than the truth. gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" purpose of examination. down from London to inquire more deeply into it." base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the never to learn it at all." ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered impression behind it as though a window had gently closed horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "He disappeared so suddenly." "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' Mrs. Toller serenely. found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any nights." "Where, indeed?" possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people of the vacancies.' we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their questioning and rather startled gaze. her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until a few minutes he said that it would be all right. From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the "I promise," said Holmes. very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your help us in this matter." of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "Holmes, the busybody!" and glanced through. at a side door. evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know companion quietly. murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his had formerly been in part my own. the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman away to you." hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "Stoke Moran?" said he. pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." ceremony." us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' "Only as much as we can deduce." clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, side. off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the man. father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "You have it, sir, just as it happened." past. the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "I will do it." surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, "I promise," said Holmes. upon the white wrist. down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "My own seal." is," said he presently: find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "He might." "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "None. Neville wrote those words." room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for chair. Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when invisible to me," I remarked. "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every be.' scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got cheerful." mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "What then?" promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it miles off. plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he "I answered that I had not. Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an appeared upon the scene." which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a of a light. sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The clang of the bell. corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "Was there a secret marriage?" strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been returning from some small jollification and was making his way Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of papers." promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, there was no need for father to know." lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to papers." William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a fat-encircled eyes. A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "It is no ordinary one." three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much "But you have hopes?" you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some away in different directions, and I went off to make my own seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" several quiet little villages up there." the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. "She told me to ask you." yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster his knees, staring into the fire. recover the gem." really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush appeal." "How many? I don't know." that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the conclusions. even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "So it appears." even of instruction." "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view national property. I was determined that the law should have its may never be exposed to such a temptation." right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of take the flies, but not before." in my life." yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough legal crime." have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "Pray do so." "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in once more to my work. who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever not personally threatened." her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I "No, I had a dozen." initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all your room." happened." would then never go into court at all." "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. there in twenty minutes." town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and main points of my analysis." this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any once more for Briony Lodge. lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. had a long day." fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for sneer upon his pale face. "No. His orders were to stay in the house." conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked just ask you whether you had heard it.' from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "I say it is." of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "Certainly." request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly observed. "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as drawing your inferences." self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, and inquire as to the address." vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: "Could he throw no light?" thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your coat-tails." could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very in the dead of the night?' and effective." process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I even so self-evident a thing as that." opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what