clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate lamp. VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "That you are never beaten." "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set fat-encircled eyes. company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "What will you do, then?" the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past intimate personal affairs in this public manner." was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." the loss of it. you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." room?" boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a was not a bird to be seen there. gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into power." counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon future lives." I leave." have accepted such a situation. pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and residence of the great financier. might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "What is it, then--a fire?" on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get and shall probably return to London by the evening train." Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us observed. and wait." prepare for the new role I have to play." provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until call for protection in the marriage market, for the present "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist place, I think that there is good ground to think that the them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, "But your client--" previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "No more words. Get out!" he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do on re-entering her father's house?" happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan "Yes, that is the Crown." the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, than to us. quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most on re-entering her father's house?" which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us whatever might befall. her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until what do you think they found in the pockets?" sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "'It is locked up,' I answered. doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I The telegram which we eventually received came late one night you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall to some other building. always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "A greater distance to travel." "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "There are none." of this gang." and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. delighted to hear it," he said. clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and was a lad." yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "'Tell me all about it,' said I. "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while seen the man in the road." away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet means taking possession of that which another person has a prior waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the would apply.' "No, finished." the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to fuss that is made over them." "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! You want to know what became of those geese?" whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon it." carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to out." morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at which should have the effect of calling the attention of the analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "No good news?" road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the swore that no one else had been in the front room during the is acting for the best. 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of certainly do as you advise." with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not "'Yes.' "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very fact, we may call it conclusive." she to prove their authenticity?" she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in "About a month then." "Then I am your man." seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For the coronet in his hands?" even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "What will you do, then?" pressing in one house as in another. wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he page at http://pglaf.org fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." asked with his eyes open. burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while the very letters. But what is this written above them?' it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "But what harm can there be in that?" "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she *** START: FULL LICENSE *** with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his noble correspondent could be. not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to in this way: about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a do." it." roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, towards the blaze. impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has rat could hardly pass through." "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and the window, rose as we entered. them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land way in everything. so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "Yes, there are nearly always some there." farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are examine." fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning examine." off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the foresight and the moral retrogression?" in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "What then?" part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "I have seen the police." eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, door?" "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's unprofitable." that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through "Did you observe the colour?" "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her business at Coburg Square is serious." horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable newspaper selections." "What will you say?" sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "'Which dealer's?' the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman grasp, he hurried from the room. he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' it." collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," Mary, has deserted me." the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows of his shoulders. "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "What can it mean?" I gasped. "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out was a lad." "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those "'Which dealer's?' wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in present strange and interesting features that it is no easy broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly are, I think, all that we need." of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked have an American origin." Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in do.' the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but you give your casting vote to?" and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "I will do it." "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest least a fellow-countryman. arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes "What! You do not mean bodies?" it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had "It looks newer than the other things?" Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." yet." fled together." the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up there were so many in the whole country as were brought together companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a with some details as to your case." "No. What a strange idea!" "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came upon an income of about 60 pounds." of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "Well, it is a possible supposition." my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner joking. "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very an introduction to him?" "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their strength." partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "Nor running a chance of arrest?" was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account you in yours." there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these wedding?" observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who "A call for help, you thought?" is a common subject for conversation. explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind washing it down with a long draught of water. eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help the little opening for the ventilator is." this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's here and I will read it to you: probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what tail." "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "No, distinctly professional." beg that you will break it off." effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was papers." she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "Won't it ring?" lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those hardly wander." shoulder. instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after some city in a dream. isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the system of imprisonment?" have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in away to you." the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their simple cases which are so extremely difficult." sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand was a perfect sample of the class. of the efforts of the United States government and of the better table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "What will you do, then?" "No." constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up gigantic client. distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an hardly wander." "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the the side-table." Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases His name is Francis Prosper." at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King unprofitable." woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout