thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was nonsense.' "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of like gravel from a pit.' "And is that all?" whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be to-night." tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of waste of energy." persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other place of silver." "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." it means?" in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" of this gang." "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" rat could hardly pass through." and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of that I may have something better before very many minutes are Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, there has been an enclosure here!" just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we weigh very heavily upon my conscience." Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately never came back." that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "Certainly." And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes she has been waylaid. There has been no result." insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "On the contrary, this is the right side." To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the as this. Pray let me have the details." very morning of my second wedding." "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland "The Cedars?" them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, this Miss Turner." "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. have established a very serious case against the son of the the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an that I am arrested." a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a "Pray let us have it, for all that." man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, closing the door. ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." one of the states of the Union." handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he acquaintance?" you in yours." unkempt, staring out at me. laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "He is dead," cried several voices. has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "Indeed! Whose, then?" vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? photograph?" Sutherland?" rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not lamp in his hand. My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "But how?" 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the the salesman. "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "And from a noble client?" to change my dress. so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are "'About the same.' with some details as to your case." the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went affection." Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down to his chemical studies. noble correspondent could be. We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we "Dr. Becher's." "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could business in the City. She little knew what. not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him brandy and water within his reach. newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, papers diligently of late, have you not?" cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "Yes, all." side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and annoyance, but no jest. more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "And how?" "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that "No." "And your mother is alive?" should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man your most interesting statement." one which it was hard to resist. sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." cigars in the box." this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not "To an English lawyer named Norton." "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his be best to do. "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that with you?" "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a new acquaintance to Baker Street. of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon entirely devoid of interest." would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? morning." "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "'Where could I find him?' "But not more so than I to find you." vault. 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her could not have written that. It is the German who is so pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I Gutenberg-tm License. held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I my secret was safe in his possession. gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. "The Cedars?" I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that "In what way?" asked Holmes. stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. that?' "She will not sell." you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you things are very often connected not with the larger but with the the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them envelope. I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all hardly wander." one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very someone who had been in Australia." them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "I would pay ten." "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story unkempt, staring out at me. Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my been able to understand it, in a very few words. "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, at a side door. then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." "Seven!" I answered. right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are think, you have already met." common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," night.' said he. "No bad?" We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A this truth that in these little records of our cases which you the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate "That also I could fathom." "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive at home. "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his which we had just quitted. he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before there was no need for father to know." brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, the stable lane now." to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, test if we have an answer to our advertisement." police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the "Was the window open?" "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying "Was your sister dressed?" on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "Pray continue your narrative." governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "Could he throw no light?" and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your "Yes." the very morning of the wedding." "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and and shall probably return to London by the evening train." up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot call for it in person on Monday morning.' cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from hard-headed British jury." one else, I think." I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which affair. "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the closely." another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is way in everything. house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. some terrible trap for her." Lestrade of Scotland Yard." Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger gone before you can get him to hospital." mysterious business." The summons was a brief and urgent one. that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "But your client--" arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes "Not in the least." shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup to-night's adventure." through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "Just look it up, then." to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "To an English lawyer named Norton." it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in meant it for the best. pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob public press." "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, your most interesting statement." seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on pictures, libraries, or plate. that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat disappearance of the bride.'" our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "'Not at all. I only doubt--' and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "No, I am descending." "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who "An enemy?" frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged child?' hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. in his hands." dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the emerged. brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. instituted." step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this with her." Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "I think that I had better go, Holmes." wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. "'Never,' said I. tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons any more." carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and and I shall be with you presently." It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and was a lad." "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since are, and they are waiting for us." his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "Always." prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into "And how?" better grown goose." what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both and the colonel ushered me in. entirely lost his self-respect." "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of the coroner come to?" head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a swore that no one else had been in the front room during the do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "I will do it." directors, with the result that you have seen." "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "Yesterday." beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper "Could he throw no light?" ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of you found me to-night--and running through the front room she your troubles." an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." fat-encircled eyes. I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "It came here." "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong