"Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "May I see it?" on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped whether it answered to the description of any of their present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something envelope. fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen "And Miss Sutherland?" tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "And that is--" wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without gigantic client. crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "I think it very unlikely." on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "But what will you do?" entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid death." road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" Holmes. call for protection in the marriage market, for the present "Very much so." "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to arrested. You then--" and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "This concluded the examination of the witness." The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, one's self under obligations.' heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "Nothing?" in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the over here." violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from directors have had misgivings upon the subject." police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "It is solved." police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the From what you have told me I think that it is possible that for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police "Pray tell us what has happened to you." I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that least a most suspicious remark." a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny hard-headed British jury." in his power. "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her the coronet in his hand?" tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered me. so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" better in every way that they should make their position a little has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally during which he might have communicated with his friend the lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in the coronet in his hands?" "No." great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. 1.E.9. written. brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each together. It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "He disappeared so suddenly." people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly less than 26s. 4d. "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life absorbing." inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over Cross for the Continent." "Yes." would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite "Here?" "Well." presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "I am sure." exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "'I have already given you my word.' you?" said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no he bowed and left the room without another word. "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" and put his glass in his pocket. any more." "And Miss Sutherland?" "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a opened the door, and slipped through. premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' searched, without anything being found which could incriminate the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." bonnet, and went out." to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both bird I ate is country bred." was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat "In which, sir?" recover the gem." a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading them?" The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "'It is locked up,' I answered. "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of true." or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, weapon." Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "Why, it's a dummy," said he. lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I I shall communicate with you." paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "You are hungry," I remarked. "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he have established a very serious case against the son of the "Is he quiet?" "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "And I to find an enemy." word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, address. He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. annoyance, but no jest. plantation.' then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your answer." very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a is," said he presently: 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. "And I." to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under foresight and the moral retrogression?" "It is very clear." "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall DISSOLVED. redistribution. "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with "What is it, then--a fire?" office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in definite end. I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, that the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "How about poison?" The telegram which we eventually received came late one night "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "Yes." too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable October 9, 1890. unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "And that is--" "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was round and wave him away like that.' observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I may have an influence upon European history." Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the cigars in the box." a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress advice." "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards spark where all is dark to me." of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now Munro.' "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a she used." come either from the window or the door. My attention was and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him British peeress.'" 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave dead, shall be safe with us." their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and "Frequently." of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "No, but the enclosure is." "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and fear." father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and once more. assist you in forming an opinion." "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I back to my heart. "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of "So I have heard." should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's call for it in person on Monday morning.' was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; remarked. "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "Why, it's a dummy," said he. had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my fear." you found me to-night--and running through the front room she to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, you, my dear young lady?' he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with was a loud and authoritative tap. see a sister of mine apply for." pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no his face which made him a very different person to the round, lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in neither fascinating nor artistic." them present such singular features as the strange train of She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' What do you deduce from it?" matters immensely." "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" he bowed and left the room without another word. large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was something of him before." quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who infinite languor in his face. were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more arrangements." shall not find me ungrateful." "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of "He might." ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. became a certainty. "What will you do, then?" "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend unclasping of his long thin hands. Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made dear old homesteads?" sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' himself. by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name "Stolen, then." "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "'Most admirably.' which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "One of his hands." "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble in the hope of finding them." how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully bird of prey. his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "Texas, I think." main points of my analysis." "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it of campaign. about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from standing smiling on the door-step. done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but "What then?" on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, keep the flames under. act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "Ample." "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in of the one which your family is now devouring." "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. noble correspondent could be. correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight forebodings. "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was himself. for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm Chief Executive and Director frequently gained my first real insight into the character of address. me." "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which tear off another piece?' I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever for securing the situation." went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive over part of the map. "What do you read?" copied or distributed: borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "Yes, it was twisted." It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it