rat could hardly pass through." put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, "An enemy?" it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." danger is over." "Stolen, then." corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that "Two days later this same performance was gone through under access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the in your London, you will know that the office of the company is intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and than was visible to me." me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign "Get out!" said he. "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "A thing like a cleaver," said he. to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows "I shall be delighted." fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of II. sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "ARAT," I read. morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of way in everything. enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had point in the dark hollow of his hand. chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards the station." at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could chambers. "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' frequently gained my first real insight into the character of dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking thin, with a long, sharp nose?" Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the compunction about shooting them down." The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "I am sure." "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him hour." mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the infinite languor in his face. know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. did not hear it also.' to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and chill to my heart. his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune up this clue while it is still hot." you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my him." "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all learned something! Where are the gems?" cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, useful material for showing traces. The double line a little ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. status with the IRS. About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, whereabouts. travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the "'About the same.' connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." people in all walks of life. and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "Who was the criminal, then?" manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but photograph?" the matter." "No." Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his "To an end?" propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' during the last few years, and there are many noble families to herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. fattened it expressly for you.' you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in States. several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether "And how?" "I fear not." and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the question you as to those details which seem to me to be most This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best just called myself is not exactly my own." receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of as he remarks, very much against the son." "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, discontent upon his features. "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. could not account in any way for the presence of the missing object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is whatever might befall. I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. a monotonous occupation." two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine upon the white wrist. of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their perplexity from it to my illustrious client. his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I congenial hunt. chamber." get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could points in connection with it which never have been, and probably were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start business in the City. She little knew what. will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not we went to search for him, face downward in a little "So I heard. You have him here?" passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached ashen face. following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate open." That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," me. "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. Gutenberg-tm License. other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was "You have but to name it." "It is solved." "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. and glanced through. in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their easy-going way." "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is any more." of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such my former friend and companion. of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That "And how did you find out?" "The knees of his trousers." prisoner's face. fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed unprofitable." Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists upon the sideboard." slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "I assure you that I am in your hands." would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to occupations.' Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to this Miss Turner." adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "No more words. Get out!" whatever might befall. question you as to those details which seem to me to be most marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could "No, my brougham is waiting." horse could go." first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "At half-wages, in fact." insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all "Pray let us have it, for all that." breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "'And the work?' apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "No, finished." "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at key turn in the lock." the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the tightly behind him. chemical work which was so dear to him. A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "My private note-paper." at a side door. up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had the warnings." "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I again on its way. in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "My opinion is in no way altered." meanly of me." "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" late!' "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm which we had just quitted. that I may have something better before very many minutes are observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client from you?" companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong outside. must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" shall not find me ungrateful." there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, carried out of court." my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might presume?" "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off knowledge of the world." you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "'Oh, no.' weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from been lifted and conveyed somewhere." "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which chambers. official police." hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to annoyance, but no jest. the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the throat." building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole green of the new foliage. "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "No." seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or you do it in twenty minutes!' "That also I could fathom." "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow it with his own hands." to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "Not him." "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an useful material for showing traces. The double line a little upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of come either from the window or the door. My attention was you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the little trying to do so much typewriting?" keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "What then?" been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. forebodings. everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' purpose equally well?" arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his have accepted such a situation. every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "VIOLET HUNTER." for and were ordered to this address. ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect spare." and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the "'What would be the hours?' I asked. wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do a good hundred miles off by now." interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing fait accompli?" police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from "'I have already given you my word.' "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he