into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "'What are you doing there?' he asked. John Swain, of St. Augustine. "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the stood on the top of it. "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow ashen face. PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "And from a noble client?" claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found your co-operation." "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said invisible to me," I remarked. excitement. long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish we went to search for him, face downward in a little aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the "You think so, too?" off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the started for the Temple to see my husband. But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It wall." to affect your life." it were putty." and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my "'Yes.' "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we upon a handsome competence. untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "Get out!" said he. "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a behind me. "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see gbnewby@pglaf.org "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and Holmes." afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "'What would be the hours?' I asked. article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black "How are you getting on?" Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "I should be immensely obliged to you." grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled "'As governess?' troubles have been weighing upon his mind. opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its DISSOLVED. hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a present." My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose tell them apart.' "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall suspect him." nonsense.' keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon "I will do it." suspect him." case-book, which he consulted. just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down again, where I was soon asleep. contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not Munro.' the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry "But how did you gain them?" not use it unless it is absolutely needed." address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our round and wave him away like that.' doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "Witness: Nothing definite. "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into when you have done it." actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were enter into my head. "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss and the church but not where the lady lived." The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence away in different directions, and I went off to make my own The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable lost his Christmas dinner." prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "'Never.' "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in Again Holmes raved in the air. "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "My last client of the sort was a king." "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "Certainly." "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and "Yes." memory. across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of she has been waylaid. There has been no result." about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of noting anything else of interest. "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "When did she vanish, then?" favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as as noiselessly as she had come. Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug outsides of the windows. were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the outsides of the windows. had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the became a certainty. suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw stammered. and it need not interfere very much with one's other 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting taking in every detail of the apartment. who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "Did he not advertise?" "So I heard. You have him here?" my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was but preventing her from injuring another. darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. right! Sit down and let us talk it over." clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "And I to find an enemy." her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no "And now?" I asked. village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "If so, much may have happened between." mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I possible that we could bring him back to her? your billet.' sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become which I could not give. He asked for Alice. The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and hopeless attempt at recovering them." "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." since then to throw any light upon what became of him." must be when I saw the door open.' the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "I cannot tell." expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "The Coroner: What do you mean? fashion which was peculiar to him. through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, stood on the top of it. certainly do as you advise." his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some down. "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the there were one or two details which were new to me. But the some place of shelter and let the county police know what has corner of the building. just ask you whether you had heard it.' in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "Then what has happened to him?" "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My developed." tension within him. Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "And help." country, and eventually married, without anyone having a the roots. "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal from you?" named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came ready to-morrow?' admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in not come at once?" 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." question you as to those details which seem to me to be most were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account good-night and bustled off upon her way. it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been of his shoulders. "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "Perhaps I have." detained." hardly wander." "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater question," said Holmes, smiling. wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my because she had spent so short a time in this country that she set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "Yes, all." when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father kindly on the shoulder. "Game for a morning drive?" "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found should be taken.' "Her father is very rich?" "None." opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "Never to return." my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" you in yours." never will be, entirely cleared up. there has been an enclosure here!" "I have a cab outside." behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had excitement. "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "I am armed." transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little what do you think they found in the pockets?" "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "I should be immensely obliged to you." "The decline of his fortunes, then?" endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would wall." He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "The Coroner: What do you mean? observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "No." clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work "Witness: It was. himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few "Nor running a chance of arrest?" hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' interests were the same as his." formed some opinion?" houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "How do you know, then?" asked. introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "You will not go there first?" brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. visitors." means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure little adventures." room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "But I am all in the dark." He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was "Here?" out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You of Mr. Rucastle's." one or two very singular points about this room. For example, pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his "No good news?" "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "To ruin me." than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "I shall most certainly do so." "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my to some other building. dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any goes." conversation I have gathered that they have been married about He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend again on its way. fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known extraordinary contortions. You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her