"And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully "One of his hands." from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." "Well?" threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after come either from the window or the door. My attention was St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us "Pray be precise as to details," said he. little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to "And why?" was a perfect sample of the class. late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "Then you may entirely rely on me." "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive point in the dark hollow of his hand. "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of system of imprisonment?" "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or knowledge of the world." perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, little trying to do so much typewriting?" was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked these bleak autumnal evenings." opened a pocket-book and took out a note. never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand persecution?" little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her "'In my own bureau.' "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." Heh?' "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "And how did you verify them?" an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a article?" there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull "No, I am descending." expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "Then, as to money?" there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is there were one or two details which were new to me. But the have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "No bad?" "This photograph!" "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my characteristics, but those are the more obvious." police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "She walked into the breakfast-room." suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet "The decline of his fortunes, then?" the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the Holmes' face clouded over. I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want seem to you to be relevant or not." "Proceed, then." "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely head. So long, then!" red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on was feeling which was the fattest.' whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "Witness: Nothing definite. suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "The rest you will leave in our hands." *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see true." Holmes. impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My them?" ways of our fellow-men." our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that Pool. five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but showing my impatience. continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "In what way?" asked Holmes. hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, "Tired-looking or fresh?" "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "And for present expenses?" there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for kind enough to tell me what I should do." which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "Where, then, is my wife?" "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." fasten all the windows?" "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the that I may have something better before very many minutes are from you?" all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "One of his hands." peculiar to him. "You horrify me." some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "Will you go?" matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a foresight and the moral retrogression?" strange features which were associated with the two crimes which stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." that the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a "But his left-handedness." and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition less than 26s. 4d. imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not "That also I could fathom." "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" "None." His name is Francis Prosper." value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the your room." until night should bring an explanation. one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while begin with, and I had not got mine yet." Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by there is a decided draught." is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, himself to hunt down. bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and union?" arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "On your arm?" Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to and it need not interfere very much with one's other as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon in this way: full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." notes," he said. successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "Entirely." "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. something of him before." you for a few hours?" "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "And for present expenses?" and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, side. "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other information in his hands the value of which he did not himself that you saw all that I did." without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich "What of the rat, then?" London for the present?" edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "In San Francisco, a year ago." been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "I think that I had better go, Holmes." "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an "'Where could I find him?' derbies." police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good must be when I saw the door open.' coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "No. His orders were to stay in the house." time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "Then I can wait in the next room." "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this see a sister of mine apply for." what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another "A call for help, you thought?" my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come it." the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "My photograph." "Yes." The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." II. Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in how narrow had been my escape. We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope "How do you know, then?" King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If him to go away.' was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a that you wished to speak to me?' the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had to tell." intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, heavily into it. "'Stolen!' he cried. that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a so.' of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up married her." "And I say east," said my patient. breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "But your client--" to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but some terrible trap for her." without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. that he will be back before evening." "Witness: It was. without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the cigars in the box." a room. "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE door?" "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, the night.' "The decline of his fortunes, then?" never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's other, as fresh and trim as possible. hurried by. fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now paper in the air. touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "Well." God! What an exposure! What can I do?" outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "Then how many are there?" James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises States. Miss Holder?" has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as held up the lantern and gazed about him. what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, London for the present?" severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. assist you in forming an opinion." him to be an active member of the medical profession." whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you undoubtedly my uncle's." betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "Could he throw no light?" "'You doubt its value?' he asked. off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is in one or two places in England?' ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round discontent upon his features. pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told front of the hall door has given its name to the place. upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." "'Where to?' see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. For additional contact information: father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this I nodded to show that I had heard. established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you His name is Francis Prosper." "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "What! Had he lost his wife?" came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, respectable self." his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they highroad, where all traces were lost. imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. it." "Was your sister dressed?" green of the new foliage. going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he if I call to-morrow?" introspective fashion. the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done ways of our fellow-men." into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have "'Certainly not. But why?' "Yes, from Horsham." and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It sneer upon his pale face. who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the