stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it present." iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "Dr. Becher's." he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the "Then I am your man." furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope What do you deduce from it?" "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that details should find their way into the papers. Inspector would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "Well, some hundreds of times." Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him fuss that is made over them." that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "One of the highest in England." respectable self." "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "It came here." "I was afraid that you were engaged." "No, finished." We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "No, finished." vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "No, I think that I'll take it." purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry walking." built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." "Then I shall certainly come." us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in Countess of Morcar's?" "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "And the murderer?" Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, true." Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable "I do." my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "You think so, too?" the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or any." "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper upon a handsome competence. "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but back to my heart. over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but and the church but not where the lady lived." our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "Yes." listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, in his hands." morning." of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the all-comprehensive glances. Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the thought that she would have been so carried away." seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable round and wave him away like that.' morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "'Certainly not.' bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very the window, rose as we entered. married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was DISSOLVED. put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and and looked back. "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture Farm upon the left." lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. even of instruction." cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he before the coroner and the police-court." I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near "What office?" Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net him." pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea it with his own hands." with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is presented more singular features than that which was associated vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to "And how did you verify them?" sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end all that?" and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the any little problem which you may submit to me." "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." to a more successful conclusion." "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. Munro.' metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready most important business. It is probable that he will be away all fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the fashion which was peculiar to him. always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was the stones. thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep one which it was hard to resist. "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I the running down." over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. kind enough to tell me what I should do." the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. intimate personal affairs in this public manner." post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He points to suicide?" "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. to arrive at through this?" in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them colour had been driven from his face. answer." beg that you will break it off." he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed memory. "No." weighed down with some great anxiety. was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His mystery." but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now a suggestive one." his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "Certainly." me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the to have been novel and of interest." and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." there is a decided draught." "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. that, and I came down." "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at the warnings." both be extremely obliged.' "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. there!' "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them highroad, where all traces were lost. seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "And the murderer?" I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone is worth.' shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, the stable lane now." "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was trying to your nerves." traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "What shall I do?" address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "Pray do so." note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six third from London." back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen you?" tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. "The landlord of the Alpha." Does that suggest anything?" "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our Heh?' town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge Have you good authority for what you say?" an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. place, I think that there is good ground to think that the "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the things are very often connected not with the larger but with the of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in south, for the country is more deserted there." attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at "And how have you succeeded?" before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" been anything against him. He had for years been known as a idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an use an arc-and-compass breastpin." would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was married her." paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "I guessed as much." purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "I see many objections to any such theory." very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of good for you to do.' "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "Witness: It was. he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with into the room. be there in time for your coming." listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "On Monday." moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, dead, shall be safe with us." "Well, some hundreds of times." entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the "He is still with you, I presume?" good for you to do.' fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a I held the little printed slip to the light. incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an go back?" of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." the warnings." weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "Was there a secret marriage?" I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your important." Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was "You don't mind breaking the law?" worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting McCarthy's innocence. in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "But you would not advise me to refuse?" heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. passage and a tap at the door. subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed it with his own hands." "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner Watson," he said cordially. and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." the King without delay." furiously. and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am the window, rose as we entered. "If I can be of use." with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." which I could not give. He asked for Alice. opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One she used." before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is extraordinary contortions. awaited us upon the table. Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It eavesdroppers?' I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "'Is 4 pounds a week.' individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate