arms and began to sob in a high treble key. case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or breakfast and whispered something to her husband. a suggestive one." "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would Street. should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she it means?" carpenter." "Certainly." These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had "Then I do not see the point." carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had manager. man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "At the wedding breakfast." faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I never to learn it at all." forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been "Pray do so." to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be wife's character?" you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms all?" "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few Heh?' "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so http://gutenberg.net/license). away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. "Where to?" his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his tear off another piece?' "And now?" I asked. supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "I do." "Well, but China?" have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "The decline of his fortunes, then?" I have it here in my museum." mysterious end." "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when and wait." one of them." to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." "You have the photograph?" brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon down from London to inquire more deeply into it." a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at thirty. eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his followed. have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small there when the Rucastles went away." It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through this unhappy family?" reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I her also." "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant purpose equally well?" scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is relation between them, and what the object of his repeated "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every "Certainly, madam." of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally where she found matters as described by the last witness. grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "If so, much may have happened between." pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his down. pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up outsides of the windows. your room." arms and began to sob in a high treble key. threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not made him keep the appointment." "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not Mrs. Toller serenely. reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be his knees, staring into the fire. "So it appears." rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which noting anything else of interest. Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" "Pray do so." metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "No, distinctly professional." "Only as much as we can deduce." few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing occurred." this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He congenial hunt. promised to bring home. "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection "'Certainly not. But why?' should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the evidence," I remarked. days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might "If so, much may have happened between." "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready visitors." smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. three of the beryls in it, was missing. "And how?" enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows "You are hungry," I remarked. has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out should be taken.' "You are hungry," I remarked. at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are which are rolled in Rotterdam." "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may thought that she would have been so carried away." "Seven!" I answered. common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. the salesman. beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "No, I am descending." in one or two places in England?' "'Where could I find him?' excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "No. What a strange idea!" lumber-room." marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while once more to my work. down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature "But you have hopes?" object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" "My opinion is in no way altered." "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and narrative." "'As governess?' tell them apart.' recall any case within my experience which looked at the first furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the there in twenty minutes." left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. lumber-room." deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "The vanishing of the lady." whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the his face. receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own indeed happy." there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you less than 26s. 4d. Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with of your young ladies.' "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of matter." father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "I am still in the dark." myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is it with his own hands." and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for his forehead." no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she and wait." "So I am. Very much so." in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "I have a cab outside." intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. been with you?" knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I the armchair which I pushed forward for him. The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "So I am. Very much so." fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a Cross for the Continent." the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. "To ruin me." remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently *** START: FULL LICENSE *** interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "And for present expenses?" by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the for and were ordered to this address. done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who shag which I had seen upon the previous night. Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a attention." before, for it was considerably after midnight. train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The point our research must commence, and we will begin it by week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." "What have you done?" asked Holmes. was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the again." rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." other, as fresh and trim as possible. their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream past. down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I read it out to me." "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "I was sure that I might rely on you." likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who putting in the horse. understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a returned to France?" looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" conceal it?" "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' to-morrow." my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may me." Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, Doctor, of the paper and the date." go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora know all about it," he snarled. bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had tell them apart.' who was a member of your goose club." estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was once more. appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for front of the hall door has given its name to the place. pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in have been better. It is all right." All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of begun to whiten, even as mine has." "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "Very. But will he see it?" on in his house." Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently "I am all attention, madam." "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is "'Most admirably.' "And you thought he was pulled back?" even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "But of what society?" absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which "But it has twice been burgled." engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. shadow pass over his face as I spoke. during which he might have communicated with his friend the "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly papers." at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the redistribution. but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but Countess of Morcar's?" low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a I. "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. constraint." souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp guilty one." the armchair which I pushed forward for him. much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in hopeless attempt at recovering them." finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "My own seal." them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should must be when I saw the door open.' How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. to miss it." so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out