of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning must compliment you." the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and it." I have it here in my museum." be sorry for having acted so harshly." door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid tied." "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" done what I asked you, Jones?" his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" these bleak autumnal evenings." "She walked into the breakfast-room." therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no galvanised. "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up respectable self." between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He matter." "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and good for you to do.' greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "I don't say that. Perhaps." envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the have accepted such a situation. room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So ceremony." tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was "What do you mean?" "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall The note was undated, and without either signature or address. had died away into the silence from which it rose. in. "Bought." sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That correct than the official force." to talk it over. Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. "It was an hour's good drive." pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round things are very often connected not with the larger but with the repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "Then you may be so with me." "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, wedding?" it. "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and mystery may be cleared along those lines." for its centre. another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his the matter." granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. "What is it?" simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four leave you to your papers for a little." "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one Eyford at 11:15.' what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were "Pray be precise as to details," said he. done what I asked you, Jones?" into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was "What!" he roared. apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, Surrey." cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "Did you observe the colour?" seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. "My opinion is in no way altered." mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother and capable of preserving a secret.' overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes our word." moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the fat-encircled eyes. observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." II. she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be "'And the work?' other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my McCarthy's innocence. perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be It may be so in this case, also." were new raised from a basin. wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without business at Coburg Square is serious." "Well, it is a possible supposition." to you." "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both think that any burglar could have done. Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am happened." my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly persecution?" LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between feature." "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur telegram would bring me down to your help." "Then I shall certainly come." inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "I am still in the dark." Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I said he. "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever "I see no marks." of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came distance from the station, and there we found the young lady previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the less than 26s. 4d. severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who chamber." wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose if only as a check to my own memory." "'Why that?' I asks. affection." looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert second window is the one that I jumped from." just ask you whether you had heard it.' English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am carried out of court." Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. more terrible than the truth. the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did might have a private word with us. it." have an American origin." every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and "In what way?" asked Holmes. ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a crime." broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble past. "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray hair?' round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." she to prove their authenticity?" woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is ventilator." over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what gone. "Yes." Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "It certainly sounds feasible." people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to been with you?" the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on been shamefully used." cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the sufficient punishment." "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me morning." object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted there were one or two details which were new to me. But the comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and the matter?" of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might them, and came down just as you departed. understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture "You have but to name it." with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect laugh and put his lips to my ear. as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I breakfast?" eavesdroppers?' Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is experiences." "Then the page we have seen--" "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his "Have you it here?" He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the with you?" promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. guilty one." "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong "What then?" "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside roused himself from his reverie. "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "Then I do not see the point." clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for once more on the important position which you have been fortunate on re-entering her father's house?" "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great forehead. yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. "And how did you find out?" to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather matter over." See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, the morning and make my own way in the world.' "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes this Miss Turner." weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. sound at heart." Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "This concluded the examination of the witness." "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. all-comprehensive glances. "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with them?" and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid http://gutenberg.net/license). to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. woven round him. he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. fasten all the windows?" "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, the very letters. But what is this written above them?' the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may could not have written that. It is the German who is so "'What are you doing there?' he asked. shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" second window is the one that I jumped from." which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" woman who has had her own way to make in the world. and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door married her." going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each "Well." receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "'Where to?' succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey address. the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece "Did you become engaged then?" Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "Entirely." "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of asked. "What?" glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "Absolutely?" speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a present strange and interesting features that it is no easy sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps death." him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "Precisely so. But how--" "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "But what is it you wish?" attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been "Do you receive much company?" he asked. should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "He might." twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." himself to hunt down. "Your presence might be invaluable." of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded "What have you done?" asked Holmes. them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "Ha! you find it so?" because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "A confidential servant?" photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "Precisely." lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at highroad, where all traces were lost. A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling "Where did he live, then?" "One of the highest in England." determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting and shall probably return to London by the evening train." And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his any more." wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had fasten all the windows?" "But I am all in the dark." "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or true."