you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have night.' said he. gbnewby@pglaf.org bears upon the case?" Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "He is still with you, I presume?" the iron safe, which he closed upon it. Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I any little problem which you may submit to me." than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck carried out of court." "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. giving me time to thank him. heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very and all of them with the keenest interest. than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what fled together." have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from do you make of it all?" death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "No, I am descending." first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now is so. I know all about McCarthy." once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary our word." down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' your sleep?' upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from existence." something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet was it brought him the coronet? the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged "'Where to?' "Oh, the cause is excellent!" ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in test if we have an answer to our advertisement." Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded "But he might be a bachelor." "What shall I do?" and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until what I may call a really hard day's work." has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but some city in a dream. age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. McCarthy." old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by comes from the middle window." here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be shall not find me ungrateful." labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a away in different directions, and I went off to make my own that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady that I am arrested." brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" which it had come upon my father." "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "I saw her in conversation with her maid." in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his perplexity from it to my illustrious client. in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad three fields round his house, and there he would take his "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody would then never go into court at all." coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation bled considerably." he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize criminal. We have already had experience of such." "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "It is very clear." suddenly upon us." be. could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, come either from the window or the door. My attention was train.' he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. is four-and-twenty." very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, and a shock of very red hair. case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she back to my heart. to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "None." never will be, entirely cleared up. tail." his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had Holmes rather sternly. were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic guilty one." foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes the child." dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some the night.' on in his house." "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing his face which made him a very different person to the round, green of the new foliage. deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the "That was it, sir." "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, or in danger--" them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by begun to whiten, even as mine has." from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and gigantic client. One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a wife's character?" however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were of receipt of the work. "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been very morning of my second wedding." there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has "It was a confession," I ejaculated. Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I mystery!" All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "Look there!" said he. general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little case-book, which he consulted. in darkness. stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "Then, as to money?" My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "You heard nothing yourself last night?" It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "'How far from the body?' to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, better in every way that they should make their position a little "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither were wasted." Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another "'Very good.' had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business were new raised from a basin. The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "'Why that?' I asks. "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been as he folded up the epistle. something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was salesman. there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "Because he was handy and would come cheap." would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, arrangements." "Yes." "What! a murderous attack?" with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. present." "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me questioning and rather startled gaze. she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest me have 200 pounds?' "What can you not understand?" October 9, 1890. and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "Who by?" crime. in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have man. here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the least a fellow-countryman. their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all discontent upon his features. Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me troubles have been weighing upon his mind. gbnewby@pglaf.org Young McCarthy must be got off, however." been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' to go into your room and bar your shutters?" pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if room had already been engaged for us. have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about cost them two and thirty pounds." son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while south, for the country is more deserted there." twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "It is true that I have been generally successful." at a side door. easy-going way." "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "Yes." downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the instituted." a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which who was a member of your goose club." Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from was a perfect sample of the class. go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." not as remarkable as your advertisement." suddenly upon us." been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "Of Friday, June 19th." running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really newspaper selections." to talk it over. evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag Edgeware Road. of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort it." "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." will take you up to see the machine.' who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the "It is possible." difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the was a loud and authoritative tap. road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. writing, and yet I know it well." girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled hair?' must be when I saw the door open.' father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "On Monday." already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said people don't know." wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the was keenly on my guard against him. "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an was not a bird to be seen there. but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility the date of his supposed suicide." doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "And leave your case unfinished?" clang of the bell. In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double "'Yes, sir.' Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the again on its way. mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed when you have done it." in. mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." his face which made him a very different person to the round, Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out opened the door, and slipped through. - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of my special province." brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident 'please.'" We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, horse could go." the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the acquaintance?" "Perhaps I have." "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless ventilator." "Yes." orange pips. look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "What can you not understand?" bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted present." Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in and the church but not where the lady lived." last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, is four-and-twenty." "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock not fit the lock." the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The noting anything else of interest. interests were the same as his." to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same envelope. to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the away into the river." voice, changing her seat as requested. address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry "What are they?" of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in which was all perfectly true. were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring be. "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and "Entirely." "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the The telegram which we eventually received came late one night Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." o'clock is it?" Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save had this final quarrel? hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was