Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "She will not sell." "I think that it is very probable." concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where memory. Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to a good hundred miles off by now." or in danger--" his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. hereditary King of Bohemia." this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were crime. and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this Holmes' face clouded over. newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it "It is possible." "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something "Where, indeed?" daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I thirty. wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "Here?" deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down new duties?' "I think that it is very probable." "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each individual and becomes the badge of a society." end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "I never have." probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps question," said Holmes, smiling. garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he "Dr. Becher's." perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your "None. Neville wrote those words." matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "'Why that?' I asks. be best to do. "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, skylight. They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it stammered. beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, "Yes, it was twisted." reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony "It is possible." loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "Won't it ring?" "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "'I have heard so.' you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." the address that was given us in the advertisement. "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." over with notes and figures. week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to bonnet, and went out." in his power. "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter You can understand that this register and diary may implicate dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "If I can be of use." utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "And how did he make his money?" Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." "My photograph." I shall communicate with you." was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very Arthur Conan Doyle last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "Deserted you?" should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "Was the window open?" dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and had no one to advise her at such a crisis." roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges said I. whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever was not a bird to be seen there. cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he handed it to him. Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure way in." approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done "My dear Holmes!" fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "'Certainly not.' "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and you in yours." the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in "In the cells." two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She to me. "Then, how do you know?" the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite gone before you can get him to hospital." "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. all that?" I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "Ample." colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. of campaign. "Only as much as we can deduce." Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these is worth.' window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it again." to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For Street. telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria maiden herself was most instructive." things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a "Holmes, the busybody!" back to my heart. astonishment. foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I in him." "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the The events in question occurred in the early days of my "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had was feeling which was the fattest.' as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "I think that I had better go, Holmes." "From his hat?" of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." third from London." you." he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "She showed me, as I told you she would." platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is hopeless attempt at recovering them." "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried bell. Holmes whistled. in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was direction." he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow him. would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "I was certainly surprised to find you there." was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent occurred." Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, "And what did you learn from him?" "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. used to be." jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" is," said he presently: "Very truly yours, - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double in your London, you will know that the office of the company is spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They emerged. electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' house for five minutes.' "And how have you succeeded?" gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "Is he quiet?" pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "Married! When?" very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." that he has suffered." "The murder was done with it." "When did it break out?" which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "Then I am your man." behind me. conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the lids now and glanced across at his visitor. frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had question you as to those details which seem to me to be most purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one ourselves in the office." one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "Well, it is a possible supposition." "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body for securing the situation." "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used deduce something from that?" sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what future lives." "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. might have a private word with us. thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." garden below. "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my or in danger--" "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be Countess of Morcar's?" other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "I should like to see him very much." "My dear Holmes!" dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such "Yes, all." papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged brain must have something in it." "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "Where did you address your letters, then?" "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my mysterious business." "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the shoulder. treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go "Yes, they were peculiar boots." present strange and interesting features that it is no easy upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "So I have heard." present." to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "That is it on the dressing-table." out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "Then, as to money?" alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I definite end. was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was works. not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, in the hope of finding them." happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more Serpentine Avenue. Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "To ruin me." "It was an hour's good drive." "Will you go?" "But what harm can there be in that?" I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "From his hat?" more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our "Do you go out much in society?" "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a my special province." the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "'Yes, sir.' generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no "You are certainly joking, Holmes." enter Dr. Roylott's room." that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." singular points about the case. What did the police think of the in my life." "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "I am still in the dark." Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it."