I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit for the market.' brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you nice household for a young lady." serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been redistribution. "No good news?" 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he chambers. "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the tell me that you intended to go into harness." frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in "My own seal." only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly "I cannot say that I have." "'It is locked up,' I answered. house for five minutes.' faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to "'Stolen!' he cried. "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, becomes even more simple." Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the "Then he might have called to you?" hurried by. which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "That is also quite modern," said the lady. Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "Married! When?" "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned digesting their breakfasts at home." abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I vague figure huddled up in the darkness. you for a few hours?" occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he bears upon the case?" rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no if she died from some sudden fright." his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, meant it for the best. Lee, in the county of Kent." product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one drove away. on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm memory. tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her "It goes to the housekeeper's room." sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my any little problem which you may submit to me." yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, envelope. License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "'Entirely.' occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by http://www.gutenberg.net England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of society." master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" go--none." "Then you may be so with me." do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." Arthur Conan Doyle "No good news?" the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you them present such singular features as the strange train of "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "I shall be delighted." the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." disappearance of these gems?" presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could front of the hall door has given its name to the place. ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "What?" "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous question," said Holmes, smiling. and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of forebodings. outside." deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly upon the sideboard." I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She own family. rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door "Yes, only one." given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "That also I could fathom." forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to "'As governess?' electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out "'Yes.' She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a "There is the writing." hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that touch that coronet?' have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. it." connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, "Dark enough and sinister enough." know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was to-morrow." "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "Here?" "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "But he might be a bachelor." yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. had died away into the silence from which it rose. things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in "'I shall certainly be there.' "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was your most interesting statement." for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. absorbing." "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly events, Mr. Windibank!" roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am been with you?" nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose little adventures." "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "Precisely." myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. have accepted such a situation. business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. most interesting one." our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments IS Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior hurried by. could go. branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "You think that he is dead?" "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "Pray continue your narrative." details should find their way into the papers. Inspector made his money." man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the became a certainty. spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her instincts rose up against that laugh. such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a became a certainty. the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement "Nor running a chance of arrest?" some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether locked. hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon "I am to be neutral?" bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father the address that was given us in the advertisement. branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose "VIOLET HUNTER." I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at "Here?" "He is dead," cried several voices. "And Miss Sutherland?" "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some "Yes." greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near society." "Quite so." "Yes, sir." something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "Yes, there are nearly always some there." floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a been deceived." brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." anything to do with the matter?" for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. a little more before I quite committed myself. "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. instincts rose up against that laugh. "'Then let me do so?' appointment with me for six o'clock?" surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window "Can I be of assistance?" to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "No?" cigars in the box." be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, to-morrow." wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry "It was an hour's good drive." my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of said he. Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about you." the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the to surprise her." so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but me what he had done with the three missing stones. the date of his supposed suicide." from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton begin with, and I had not got mine yet." beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "It is no ordinary one." "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of could not account in any way for the presence of the missing at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "A confidential servant?" remarked. firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "I was afraid that you were engaged." once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the "Certainly." which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he Street. Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that persecution?" of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands your billet.' Holmes' face clouded over. if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was crowd. "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "My dear Holmes!" ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, "Yes." coroner's jury." were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had maid will bring up your coffee." realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of matters immensely." strong reason behind." contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 "Then I am your man." hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too used to be." the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these a good hundred miles off by now." matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that "No sign of it?" her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and nothing with him." it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that sooner or later she must fall a victim. My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and McCarthy's innocence. registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy a monotonous occupation." roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person shoulder; "he's all right." lamp. circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "What then?" stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any neither fascinating nor artistic." reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage get the tickets." its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. "In what way?" asked Holmes. "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have some water from a caraffe. "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there me. You must get home instantly and act." Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. the window, rose as we entered. people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "You have compromised yourself seriously." while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened noting anything else of interest. initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his "What have you to say now?" thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "Then I shall certainly come." "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan address. his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "Come in!" said Holmes. staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had mystery." yards of it?' late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found