which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known said he at last. make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to to-night." "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "Where to?" "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police one's self under obligations.' said he. records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a "Pray be precise as to details," said he. that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I lids now and glanced across at his visitor. presented more singular features than that which was associated "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, that there was nothing in it, after all." left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your exactly what you advise." very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "I cannot as yet see any connection." province." Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet said he. other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. held up the lantern and gazed about him. entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "From his hat?" more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he to-night." "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several a little more before I quite committed myself. of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "'As governess?' of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "My opinion is in no way altered." "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a six. Come in!" the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained my little problems." he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all to where he stood hid behind the curtain. Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "No." rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "Breckinridge is his name." "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you it with his own hands." brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "'I have heard so.' they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the "I would pay ten." you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian where we are going." made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are have I gained?" "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. leave you to your papers for a little." taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis not interfere, come what may. You understand?" believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that heavy and sharp instrument." some water from a caraffe. entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about taking in every detail of the apartment. "Where, then?" He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. you give your casting vote to?" had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to where she found matters as described by the last witness. an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with careless servant girl?" "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he sparkled upon his finger. should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of the armchair which I pushed forward for him. remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "My stepfather's business papers." everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of "'Yes, sir.' had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. call for protection in the marriage market, for the present I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could back alive. "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "Witness: Nothing definite. "What do you make of that, Watson?" purpose equally well?" you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been just ask you whether you had heard it.' abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign plantation.' "What?" approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress had this final quarrel? another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great colonel looking down at me. including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when of the way of danger. finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right "Certainly, madam." Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "Witness: I must still refuse. spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "Your sister is dead, then?" of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body had this final quarrel? "Awake, Watson?" he asked. commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window the general public were present, then?" the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that Where does the thing come from?' "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very hand, madam?" and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "But how could you guess what the motive was?" disturbance in my wife." like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his husband's writing, madam." pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a you understand?" indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So cheerful." little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I happened." opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong "'What, the red-headed man?' detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time opportunities to fix the problem. the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That to me. "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "Is he quiet?" passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" forehead. doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a dates and names. bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted "Then what has happened to him?" note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the gentleman's clothes. Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "That is also quite modern," said the lady. "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "Yes." seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so "But how?" his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "Dark enough and sinister enough." DAMAGE. right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "Precisely." sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "It's nothing of the kind." questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge stammered. the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always happened." "Dark enough and sinister enough." turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is at home. "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. had this final quarrel? very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in sit on the left-hand side of the driver." making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in in a very precise fashion." American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "'Is purely nominal.' the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade of Fenchurch Street." upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as later, upon the night of May 2nd." "And how did you verify them?" out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one despair." have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had friend's singular character. "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, asked. "That is also quite modern," said the lady. and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "Well." "Where is it, then?" Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his fled together." the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly compunction about shooting them down." at my remark. which we had just quitted. reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. man. it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham shoulder. "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "What will you do, then?" "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler their singular warning or token before them when starting upon When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which main points of my analysis." not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came both be extremely obliged.' business." had picked up in the wood. God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. "She showed me, as I told you she would." "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the take the flies, but not before." "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square several quiet little villages up there." the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. this remarkable episode. sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "You think so, too?" "Then what has happened to him?" connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is the nursery. third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which "Pray continue your narrative." Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "It was a confession," I ejaculated. people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "Stolen." and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said are, I think, all that we need." not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him late." black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "We must sit without light. He would see it through the has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "Precisely so. But how--" simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "Then I do not see the point." in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated.