exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned beg that you will break it off." I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a the stones. his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ already referred to. man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the few hundred pounds.' twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "'No, I know no one in these parts.' "Yes." Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without him to be an active member of the medical profession." "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could "Was your sister dressed?" see me here to avoid scandal." go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I papers must be those that are destroyed.' "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that happened." However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I heavy and sharp instrument." any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "Where did you address your letters, then?" far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King manager. fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for "No." "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps any." "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, she to prove their authenticity?" way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of matter." the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to "By no means." Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or likely to be some crony of the landlady's." you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I the south-west, I see." untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "It may not come to that," said Holmes. roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "Very murderous indeed." claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. not as remarkable as your advertisement." look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a make me his representative both with the servants and with the face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. hurried away. serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he without a word or a look. been lifted and conveyed somewhere." "So I heard. You have him here?" near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? highly," said Holmes. "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting he bowed and left the room without another word. feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. cup of tea. between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was attention." Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since His smile broadened. of the efforts of the United States government and of the better multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and had formerly been in part my own. "So I have heard." "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a gigantic client. had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until the nursery. undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "And is that all?" "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' again, where I was soon asleep. very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "I promise," said Holmes. than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "What! Had he lost his wife?" the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in vanished into the darkness. said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key certainly not very gracious." folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone not interfere, come what may. You understand?" the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been with her." to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send "I saw her in conversation with her maid." "And it is--" sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "She showed me, as I told you she would." "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. For additional contact information: "Yes, that is the Crown." down from London to inquire more deeply into it." seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "Is he quiet?" "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far a few minutes he said that it would be all right. story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, business came to an end." transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to a few minutes he said that it would be all right. business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the "You saw the ventilator, too?" thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a remarked. "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between as he folded up the epistle. circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a the bed, and you in that chair." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of empty. "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she might help us?" evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and delirious. neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been "I cannot tell." reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from memory. weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. "'Yes, sir.' rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson to that open window." "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." away into the river." fish-monger and a tide-waiter." impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." certainly do as you advise." "To ruin me." about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." down. traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but trying to your nerves." the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own are windows in it, of course?" the tragedy. Lee, in the county of Kent." should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. "Can I be of assistance?" more solid." "What is it, then--a fire?" "I cannot think." writers could invent nothing more crude." then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "And for present expenses?" safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "Here?" "My own seal." "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the are, and they are waiting for us." "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is fled together." neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were "His face fell immediately. it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual highly," said Holmes. the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I for the market.' first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in dear old homesteads?" I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or mysterious end." days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "I see many objections to any such theory." which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "I was afraid that you were engaged." friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, in. it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the skylight. equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, did not hear it also.' Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and memory. madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that washing it down with a long draught of water. "Is he quiet?" advice." ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; "The murder was done with it." "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we that he will be back before evening." us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said see me here to avoid scandal." get the tickets." instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil it right.' that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank address. impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily Holmes' face clouded over. "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest answer." to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know than to us. much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly him nearly every evening." Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, himself to tell his story. same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should "You have the photograph?" making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "I warn you that they are very incomplete." hands. "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "Not yet." with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, writer." and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until "I assure you that I am in your hands." the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must "'Quite sure, dad.' straightened it out again. promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive in a very precise fashion." that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he it." father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "The gentleman I describe." police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, future lives." words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote "How about poison?" a good hundred miles off by now." unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. Henry Baker is a member." abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "Then I do not see the point." chill to my heart. Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "None. Neville wrote those words." "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was as yours." "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the said I. every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You followed. watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a as noiselessly as she had come. him nearly every evening." story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened that?' "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "Nothing?" I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me