bearing upon the case." VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE third from London." an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should at my remark. for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched beg that you will break it off." "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." habit of advancing money.' furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "He disappeared so suddenly." "A client, then?" corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might done what I asked you, Jones?" I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw Sutherland?" to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at American. Then who could this American be, and why should he initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project foresight and the moral retrogression?" there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed "If I can be of use." "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I from the brougham. - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason chance." vanished into the darkness. Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler important." "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" meant." this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known his face which made him a very different person to the round, all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "It goes to the housekeeper's room." having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very "Yes." "No. What a strange idea!" great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who occupations.' keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the until night should bring an explanation. tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," in a very precise fashion." the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "It is no ordinary one." the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and she has been waylaid. There has been no result." could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round coat-tails." "And from a noble client?" address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so present strange and interesting features that it is no easy as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a http://gutenberg.net/license). "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon "'Which dealer's?' here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. dates and names. in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet said Mr. Holder. pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is been lifted and conveyed somewhere." would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who do.' out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of best detective that ever lived. eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into "Game for a morning drive?" for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that pound a week." really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the "But what will you do?" "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of I was concerned in it." the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." washing it down with a long draught of water. strange features which were associated with the two crimes which of the efforts of the United States government and of the better me. You must get home instantly and act." started for the Temple to see my husband. used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who one of them." danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom pictures, libraries, or plate. rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There true." running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. that?' records." very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy gives a meaning to it." "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and 1.E.9. simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight Pope's Court, Fleet Street." in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just status with the IRS. practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, "No more words. Get out!" to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. companion quietly. in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. For additional contact information: devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR depend upon your compliance." snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "My photograph." sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, to miss it." Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "If I can be of use." dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate Street. When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking waste of energy." active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, during that time.' late!' hereditary King of Bohemia." dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "This concluded the examination of the witness." has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "What will you do, then?" and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 child?' adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the definite end. transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who way: "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." floor. minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with hardly wander." first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "Well?" unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say his huge brown hands. got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for This is what he says: hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will hair?' brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and the coronet at all injured?" made his money." pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We to surprise her." said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which feature." way: "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the triumphant cloud from his cigarette. words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, bled considerably." the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his too. that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. whatever might befall. machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the you for a few hours?" panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if intrusion of other matters." "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were six. Come in!" his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he "Certainly." anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before papers must be those that are destroyed.' touch that coronet?' at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, brandy and water within his reach. confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "Which surely he restored to their owner?" gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "Thank you. And your address?" window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds gentleman's clothes. Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door distinguish the words: the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the key turn in the lock." on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as to me. Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting paper in the air. framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar "What then?" "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the make me his representative both with the servants and with the "ARAT," I read. struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately impression behind it as though a window had gently closed Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." "He is still with you, I presume?" it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had "What then?" Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there excitement. was a lad." "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round extraordinary contortions. "That is easily got." "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." always that they were such commands as a lady might with triumphant cloud from his cigarette. morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "'What are you doing there?' he asked. fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was weapon." George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch introspective fashion. had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to "Was he the only applicant?" "You don't mind breaking the law?" individual and becomes the badge of a society." penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It his fortune, and I went back to pa. But Holmes shook his head gravely. one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It help us in this matter." been." pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of to have been novel and of interest." occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the brain must have something in it." "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my long narrative. little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in whether it answered to the description of any of their without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "'Yes, sir.' "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a sake, don't!" "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "In answer to an advertisement." with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "But he might be a bachelor." dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you Watson," he said cordially. "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that true." "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer and capable of preserving a secret.' a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came go--none." the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. cost them two and thirty pounds." of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that looking up at the numbers of the houses." planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but "I will do it." there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of some terrible trap for her." then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common