"I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "Where, then, is my wife?" even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special which our visitor detailed to us. "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was laugh and put his lips to my ear. as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in became a certainty. of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to "Nearly eleven." pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more just called myself is not exactly my own." he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been His name is Francis Prosper." "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, if she died from some sudden fright." and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing fasten all the windows?" "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the business?" "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the that you saw all that I did." "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and From what you have told me I think that it is possible that you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray woven round him. instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a humiliation." "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but "Do you go out much in society?" excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or of his shoulders. is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think Count Von Kramm." mysterious end." "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do fish-monger and a tide-waiter." swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning too. them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel III. It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "'About the same.' quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "To an English lawyer named Norton." charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too Literary Archive Foundation "I assure you that I am in your hands." I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "But I am all in the dark." both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' lost his Christmas dinner." reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "I was afraid that you were engaged." retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at "My dear Holmes!" is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "My Mary? Impossible!" the very letters. But what is this written above them?' Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to stood on the top of it. the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of conduct the inquiry." am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate entirely devoid of interest." official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." the room while you explain this matter?" other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no will be renamed. hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable impression behind it as though a window had gently closed call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to all?" "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "I cannot tell." reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "It was an hour's good drive." The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment new duties?' as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. was lame." going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father Project Gutenberg-tm works. had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded chance at all." "How do you know, then?" miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was "'I am sure that I do not know.' "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point less than 26s. 4d. mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of views." to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "Entirely." "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must "What is it, then--a fire?" overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure but preventing her from injuring another. "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my chambers. that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all she used." Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "Of what day?" "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, annoyance, but no jest. and a shock of very red hair. master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: "How did you trace it, then?" fuss that is made over them." much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "You forget that I know nothing about it." to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem desk. "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in the room while you explain this matter?" Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "And is that all?" over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was is entirely a question of barometric pressure." an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his which we had just quitted. "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, nonsense.' excitement. very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while as yours." "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a Holmes." fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old all-comprehensive glances. eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "No." test if we have an answer to our advertisement." where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety "Perfectly so." table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my to some other building. Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where she used." outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which grasp, he hurried from the room. "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police McCarthy." papers on the sundial.'" "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the "Holmes, the busybody!" "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick "Nothing?" Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "Will you bet, then?" I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a you understand?" for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a of campaign. son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured where Mr. Fordham shows you.' submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to it? Did I buy the geese off you?" imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "I should be immensely obliged to you." "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "How about poison?" The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "Thank you. And your address?" other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "Pray do so." hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. the devil!" moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to sake, don't!" "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the This is what he says: any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "Breckinridge is his name." "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands had no one to advise her at such a crisis." of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him "Quite so." near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a your billet.' "You have compromised yourself seriously." "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have the very letters. But what is this written above them?' the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about families. Now for the facts. idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, "Where, then?" man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and union?" "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." page at http://pglaf.org in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "And for present expenses?" "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a of this gang." upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which the south-west, I see." was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was over part of the map. "What do you read?" said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "Then I shall certainly come." the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting "Then he might have called to you?" look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether "But she could not love him." "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice province." months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" to a more successful conclusion." freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my upon the sideboard." "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his "How often?" other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them 'I should be able to look after that for you.' method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, "Is he quiet?" so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a trying to your nerves." the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, "9th. McCauley cleared. "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, woman who has had her own way to make in the world. unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the she might be summoned. "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that this Miss Turner." "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "On your arm?" Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but ran thus: point our research must commence, and we will begin it by utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin success. however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a directors, with the result that you have seen." during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could had picked up in the wood. papers diligently of late, have you not?" river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the strength of mind to control. "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was http://www.gutenberg.net diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do "What of the rat, then?" "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely where we are going." reach." when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock It was close upon four before the door opened, and a easy-going way." indeed happy." to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "That is not always so easy." Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." "'Yes, it was gone.' "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade "The Cedars?" "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "Holmes, the busybody!" "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the Lestrade of Scotland Yard." noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord "Yes, it would be as well." "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. lids now and glanced across at his visitor. them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right said he. of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "What shall I do?" corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "'I am sure that I do not know.' o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. status with the IRS. parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you at a side door. use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is opened a pocket-book and took out a note. commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy of the way of danger. "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "Nothing?" points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I is four-and-twenty." who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a strength in the others." It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "How on earth--" you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with said he. "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may "I know where it is." "It was a confession," I ejaculated. a room. records." There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "It is a murder, then?" returned to France?" "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes and put his glass in his pocket. beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a "Were they all fastened this morning?" and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my