events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "Never." on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he bore every mark of being an average commonplace British not come at once?" "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled that I am arrested." some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." congratulate you again." man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The there!' The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her within hail.' character. "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "You horrify me." thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his "Stolen." seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the presented more singular features than that which was associated might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent main points of my analysis." "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her address. the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. considering the formidable letters which were received by himself what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, and all of them with the keenest interest. slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. relation between them, and what the object of his repeated derbies." work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any three fields round his house, and there he would take his moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he "I warn you that they are very incomplete." "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step had died away into the silence from which it rose. frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the national property. I was determined that the law should have its "Then you may be so with me." what these perils are?" that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away gives a meaning to it." our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was residence of the great financier. which I could not give. He asked for Alice. freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of placed his cuttings. for its centre. William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside you for a few hours?" from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be upon the white wrist. was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of only touch the interest." grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, was a perfect sample of the class. Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the room had already been engaged for us. Sutherland?" Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in John Swain, of St. Augustine. must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "'Is purely nominal.' the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "She showed me, as I told you she would." journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "You horrify me." know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" friend's singular character. Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" to tell." The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' him." hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed business at Coburg Square is serious." "My private note-paper." clanging. of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She side. forecastle of an emigrant ship. should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by there is a decided draught." lost nothing by them." is now desirous of getting those letters back." "'What, the red-headed man?' to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage points in connection with it which never have been, and probably my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of a monotonous occupation." "Thank you. And your address?" Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "What office?" is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, be.' misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her most interesting one." "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would how narrow had been my escape. chance at all." last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was what these perils are?" Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police security.' of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "Frequently." in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would without success. At last the little money which I had saved began she used." appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had when your master had gone out." "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." "I am still in the dark." the nursery. "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. "He slept on the premises." to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are might have a private word with us. dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. or other trace. But how on earth--" "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. this truth that in these little records of our cases which you ago." police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that astonishment. stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. affair. cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking hair?' compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." "I cannot imagine." been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, orange pips. in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and people in all walks of life. envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat God! What an exposure! What can I do?" of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "He is dead," cried several voices. entirely lost his self-respect." out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a again on its way. "I was certainly surprised to find you there." reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were unprofitable." yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just "Texas, I think." very peculiar words of the dying woman?" derbies." in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "Then, as to money?" street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." feature." "Very truly yours, streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "No." 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and fattened it expressly for you.' garden below. science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "And how in the world did you find them?" This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "We were both in the photograph." "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been The telegram which we eventually received came late one night you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as companion quietly. "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." feature." should be taken.' rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "That is easily got." "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did "When did she vanish, then?" a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same on in his house." near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned interest. They are important, you understand, without being Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is stood on the top of it. last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He and looked back. it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. "Yes, they were peculiar boots." places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it over here." bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt undoubtedly my uncle's." nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." him. a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever the Friday. Was it to be in church?" were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come danger is over." four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. copied or distributed: man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "My dear Holmes!" nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong noise which awoke you from your sleep?" brandy and water within his reach. trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See "But you have hopes?" it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous upon the sideboard." like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against washing it down with a long draught of water. "It is solved." said I. even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet me. You must get home instantly and act." At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort yourselves in at night?" near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. cigars in the box." The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a the running down." Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. observed. "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the in the dead of the night?' used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a quickly through a disagreeable task. occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very was not a bird to be seen there. safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." bearing upon the case." "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock if she died from some sudden fright." and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to "Yes, certainly." office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the the matter?" tied." "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal Holmes rather sternly. and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that meanly of me." from you?" kind enough to tell me what I should do." "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to than was visible to me." "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One "Certainly, madam." a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not had this final quarrel? perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker lectures into a series of tales." he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a sit on the left-hand side of the driver." matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. house for five minutes.' "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit placed his cuttings. given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "Your sister is dead, then?" people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She my former friend and companion. lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting."