examination of the premises, but without finding anything which other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to Holmes." long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, and glanced through. three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of IS bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went "How do you know, then?" "What!" he roared. the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, do you make of it all?" despair." away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which me have 200 pounds?' copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as dramatic, in fact." me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, "I am following you closely," I answered. home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes Where does the thing come from?' "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble "But I have heard all that you have heard." Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "I am all attention, madam." "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a Stoke Moran." "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was wife's character?" "I will not look." situation." of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I in your London, you will know that the office of the company is that I may have something better before very many minutes are beg that you will break it off." "And Miss Sutherland?" American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the locked." "On Monday." corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" strode off upon his way. said he. to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm them present such singular features as the strange train of to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "What are they?" something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front when you have done it." gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a bedroom door." power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "What can it mean?" I gasped. were unconscious?" "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by could not have written that. It is the German who is so "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to our word." us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager country, and eventually married, without anyone having a worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the whole matter to your consideration." at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as bears upon the case?" and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander than to us. been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, leaning back in his chair. and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the "It missed him, then?" full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to carriage. It was a chestnut." "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely The summons was a brief and urgent one. life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, call it cruel." VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the made him keep the appointment." http://www.gutenberg.net "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' neither fascinating nor artistic." when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. "Where did he live, then?" was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George down from London to inquire more deeply into it." thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his companion. yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my "What then?" house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the "Entirely." "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up gone. "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a becomes even more simple." my little problems." thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "Perhaps I have." "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire crime. "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man in this way: "Yes?" and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you house for five minutes.' a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A green of the new foliage. impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City certainly do as you advise." whole matter to your consideration." gone. was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy been with you?" "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR hereditary King of Bohemia." week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. horse could go." passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is criminal. We have already had experience of such." "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would her also." which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended disturbance in my wife." tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond round and wave him away like that.' a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love relief. smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his papers." which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." Dr. Gregory B. Newby "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would begin with, and I had not got mine yet." way in." "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be tell me that you intended to go into harness." in. the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is "The landlord of the Alpha." papers." mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I strode off upon his way. "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "I have my revolver," said I. "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story "Perfectly so." breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "Was she in good spirits?" in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I roused himself from his reverie. attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It bears upon the case?" "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the man. I know him from the photograph." skylight. "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to room. The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into drawing your inferences." hard-headed British jury." "Your presence might be invaluable." and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove case before our client came into the room." recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was in darkness. "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it be there in time for your coming." Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock over part of the map. "What do you read?" "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I floor. Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur attention." gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much not personally threatened." compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do which should have the effect of calling the attention of the first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "I cannot think." "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled and laid it on the table. river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. foresight and the moral retrogression?" returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." again before evening." straightened it out again. grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. just called myself is not exactly my own." reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots when your master had gone out." "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw to you." "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the DISSOLVED. end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account seven miles from Eyford Station.' Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in certainly do as you advise." Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes http://www.gutenberg.net least a fellow-countryman. them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely the best of training." whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed strength." brain must have something in it." very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I case before our client came into the room." every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily used to be." instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's "No?" would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would that he will be back before evening." successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. writer." "My Mary? Impossible!" gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to extraordinary contortions. was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so soul! here is her carriage at the door." "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "No bad?" the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "By no means." the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her fluttered off among the others. flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "'What, the red-headed man?' But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my lectures into a series of tales." Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, already been minutely examined." "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. do.' still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a "Your sister is dead, then?" "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and "My opinion is in no way altered." "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little made him keep the appointment." his knees, staring into the fire. struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something