"'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that business at Coburg Square is serious." unkempt, staring out at me. "Then he might have called to you?" imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to "I was certainly surprised to find you there." prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in answer." sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a Project Gutenberg-tm works. orange pips. important." lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "I see no marks." Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "And your mother is alive?" many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the you do it in twenty minutes!' stepfather?" and have this put in the evening papers." after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." started for the Temple to see my husband. soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to amused." "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "'You cannot say what it was?' "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was forbidden door. the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had upon the shelf for the interim." "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his to that open window." in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out yards of it?' me upon any point which I do not make clear." Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He bird I ate is country bred." to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "Married! When?" to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "Nothing." of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal present." "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "But you would not advise me to refuse?" night.' said he. mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother public press." 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of pictures, libraries, or plate. and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the "But it has twice been burgled." minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" "'Is purely nominal.' her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a chance at all." outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never "The decline of his fortunes, then?" whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "Very. But will he see it?" reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "It is very clear." He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. I was concerned in it." active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a lids now and glanced across at his visitor. no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked future lives." "Was there a secret marriage?" "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden obstinate." "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel because she had spent so short a time in this country that she The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water "'Very good.' man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "No, my brougham is waiting." which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, annoyance, but no jest. ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. in this way: "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have you?' dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, she has been waylaid. There has been no result." believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any with you?" with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "'And the work?' constraint." "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "Then I am your man." he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the grasp, he hurried from the room. and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "At the wedding breakfast." likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most noble correspondent could be. monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we neither fascinating nor artistic." "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "Do you know him?" "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to important." man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of quick march!" the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "To the police?" such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, "Then what has happened to him?" thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange indeed which he could not unravel. nice household for a young lady." minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of "Yes." "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from your bag." other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different possible that we could bring him back to her? blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. case before our client came into the room." "Where to?" saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: extraordinary contortions. months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not never will be, entirely cleared up. some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he delighted to hear it," he said. WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if the Assizes." anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and his fortune, and I went back to pa. even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the himself to hunt down. figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey use an arc-and-compass breastpin." to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. and I shall be with you presently." chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight London for the present?" bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an night.' said he. do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "'Quite sure, dad.' and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, what is your own theory as to what took place?" the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." in him." "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." see a sister of mine apply for." could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means fattened it expressly for you.' and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "Awake, Watson?" he asked. "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask and wait." with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then and the colonel ushered me in. weary and pale-looking. Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "But she could not love him." as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such "I shall most certainly do so." and that he would see to anything that turned up. "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "You think that he is dead?" "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "Texas, I think." "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided cost them two and thirty pounds." "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "Then how many are there?" in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "BALLARAT." What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "I would pay ten." to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not other means.' too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. that you wished to speak to me?' the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have for securing the situation." The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue new acquaintance to Baker Street. was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed During two years I have had three consultations and one small whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty highly," said Holmes. a good hundred miles off by now." "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled http://gutenberg.net/license). "What have you done?" asked Holmes. upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "It looks newer than the other things?" Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon unprofitable." "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in few hundred pounds.' grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly might help us?" same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular geese which you supplied to the Alpha." so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in tear off another piece?' "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "Oh, fresh and glossy." he. mystery may be cleared along those lines." young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many do.' "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "Then what has happened to him?" Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." pound a week." Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you you." itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was name is different." course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every sooner or later she must fall a victim. to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told friend's singular character. "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of over part of the map. "What do you read?" unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "'What then?' I asked. lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for occurred." "Of what?" "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." particular state visit http://pglaf.org discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The some mystery and the punishment of some crime." table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away and wait." really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her Pope's Court. 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done strong and stiff." see a sister of mine apply for." natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that fishes. "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "'Not at all. I only doubt--' jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have begun to whiten, even as mine has." "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more in him." known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St.