"Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be "But his lameness?" "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take enter into my head. passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and sofa. This way, please!" If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, frequently gained my first real insight into the character of first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked there." "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who The events in question occurred in the early days of my the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the II. "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a "I will do it." police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a "'Yes.' the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly quickly through a disagreeable task. in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he on in his house." clanging. "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. girl said." address. "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, shall use the carriage to-night." deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do Munro.' "By all means." imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your when your master had gone out." "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, in your London, you will know that the office of the company is all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had three of the beryls in it, was missing. shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when "No, I had a dozen." great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect three of the beryls in it, was missing. Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small know what is wrong with it.' remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by answer." It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I you in yours." one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands "'Yes, sir.' you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for nothing with him." a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off suspect him." deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "We were both in the photograph." and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new bedroom door." manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is way in everything. time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs "It is very kind of you." best detective that ever lived. "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "Not yet." to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had himself. a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up shag which I had seen upon the previous night. I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "But how will you look?" why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "Bought." "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "Well?" A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way tear off another piece?' whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled "Yes, they were peculiar boots." Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you business matters.' room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." are, and they are waiting for us." those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than bears upon the case?" "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "But how?" process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "The decline of his fortunes, then?" 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have Countess of Morcar's?" scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted Holmes rather sternly. that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not "I answered that I had not. me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a "By all means." right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An prove to be little relation between the different incidents of "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate geese which you supplied to the Alpha." of this gang." pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a case-book, which he consulted. "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of "This concluded the examination of the witness." pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the experiences." it? Did I buy the geese off you?" forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "Stoke Moran?" said he. Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "My Mary? Impossible!" Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "I don't say that. Perhaps." mystery!" I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "Have you her photograph?" have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present threw himself down with his face to the pillow. drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for later, upon the night of May 2nd." 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. "Yes?" Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it written, and locked the door of the office after me. comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double again before evening." might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a use an arc-and-compass breastpin." reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me have been better. It is all right." shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "I have solved it." "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "The landlord of the Alpha." wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that Holmes' face clouded over. which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the be best to do. very old mansion. matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. to miss it." lumber-room." shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, about. "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I have got?" deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring have accepted such a situation. fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked foresight and the moral retrogression?" has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was "He said that you could solve anything." heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, way in." Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "No." railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual without success. At last the little money which I had saved began that One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "Yes, sir." neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of compunction about shooting them down." bell. Holmes whistled. when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "Not social, then?" "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "One of his hands." was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk already referred to. family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing at home. on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a It may be so in this case, also." savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his became a certainty. was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to burst into a hearty fit of laughter. But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few affection." "You think that he is dead?" crackling voice. "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. is so. I know all about McCarthy." deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as upon the sideboard." anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to been shamefully used." where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I the coronet in his hands?" time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the developed." "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six call you and give you the chance." 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered your co-operation." was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "Where is it, then?" "There are none." "'And the work?' "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "'What would be the hours?' I asked. "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" something of him before." introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover place no limit on the sum I may draw." "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in showing my impatience. "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. Clair, of Lee." law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman in a very precise fashion." or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous this remarkable episode. but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but "That also I could fathom." in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of with her." suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms in this note: seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no answer." others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "Yes, it was twisted." brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a populous neighbourhood." cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to that you saw all that I did." the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "He is dead," cried several voices. base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were wedding?" "And I." "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with little trying to do so much typewriting?" weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might "Quite so." to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so page at http://pglaf.org fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my companion quietly. that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." ways of our fellow-men." "And the murderer?" "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "She will not sell." usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I she might be summoned. passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." fire. You quite follow me?" comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed other means.' could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to recall any case within my experience which looked at the first the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had will he say when he returns?" "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "Very. But will he see it?" frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera Stoke Moran." have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "Come in!" said he. the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an along the entire front of the house, with three long windows attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as "You will not go there first?" an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a that, and I came down." the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from coat-tails." 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our "And how did you verify them?" a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the