Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking gone. did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for like that before?" the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by individual and becomes the badge of a society." Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all hurried away. "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his to surprise her." married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you business in the City. She little knew what. "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "Was she in good spirits?" "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "I will, Miss Turner." Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "Then I am your man." for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "In answer to an advertisement." "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. stepfather?" back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, that I am arrested." to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which ago." have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, shoulder; "he's all right." "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, individual and becomes the badge of a society." taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, has little to do with my story." "No. His orders were to stay in the house." your troubles." receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one just called myself is not exactly my own." coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son "Where did you address your letters, then?" surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings assist you in forming an opinion." cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest to his chemical studies. I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so results." again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "In the cells." earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, the running down." nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "And you thought he was pulled back?" wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "What is it?" who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? room. state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "It is his hat." favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "In what way?" asked Holmes. over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small that he will be back before evening." "And did you observe any change in her then?" strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what get her out of the way." beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to enter Dr. Roylott's room." "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is society." into the bag, and made for the door. hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off about here speaks of his kindness to him." the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope "'I have already given you my word.' black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "Proceed, then." with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations "'Quite sure, dad.' assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his highroad, where all traces were lost. the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "I am armed." indiscretion." "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "'Quite sure, dad.' to-night?' clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "And the cigar-holder?" red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "Can I be of assistance?" Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "In the cells." office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "That also I could fathom." "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of seem to you to be relevant or not." Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm tassel actually lying upon the pillow. threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "But how did you gain them?" preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic like that before?" The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as house for five minutes.' England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "You have but to name it." dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, "And your father? Did you tell him?" to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "Why serious?" customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." "Absolutely none." drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the sit on the left-hand side of the driver." science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up only touch the interest." very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission province." had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity I shall communicate with you." his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "What, then?" the general public were present, then?" front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace not fit the lock." "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at success. receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy better in every way that they should make their position a little at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between cigars in their mouths. "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended lumber-room." the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "Was there a secret marriage?" the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to as the one I chose?' "She walked into the breakfast-room." "The Coroner: What do you mean? prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but status with the IRS. excitement. really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six "It may not come to that," said Holmes. until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "No bad?" allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were examination of the premises, but without finding anything which other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a very peculiar words of the dying woman?" "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been a room. The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was License. You must require such a user to return or Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of records." waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. and no precautions can guard against." All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "A greater distance to travel." from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has question," said Holmes, smiling. "None." "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but into the room. American. Then who could this American be, and why should he providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard means taking possession of that which another person has a prior exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "'In my own bureau.' daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "How about poison?" it." covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular might help us?" brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could true." Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you and looked back. I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I "And you can do nothing until then?" "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The said he, "my real name is James Ryder." again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. has little to do with my story." memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than second." about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always "The doctor?" garden below. "So I am. Very much so." Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" note?" "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist brain must have something in it." in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "Yes, sir." her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "How about poison?" to some other building. of his shoulders. said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," http://gutenberg.net/license). known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be if only as a check to my own memory." "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, this as likely?" "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of direction." for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its and it need not interfere very much with one's other and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "Then I do not see the point." There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and "Ample." INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH Farm upon the left." sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning at a side door. "No more words. Get out!" Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then as this. Pray let me have the details." Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "You are all wrong." of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. emerged. reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and official police." Lestrade of Scotland Yard." pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "You are all wrong." "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "Yes." "I will get her to show me." photograph?" place of silver." experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort "That is also quite modern," said the lady. took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could results." here." "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate of fine shops and stately business premises that they really you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "Was she in good spirits?" believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "My dear Holmes!" "'Never.' you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "But we can't all be." for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "The landlord of the Alpha." therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am The King stared at him in amazement. I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." "I have seen the police." room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who