little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included and looked back. "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed thin, with a long, sharp nose?" was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "But not more so than I to find you." their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he guilty one." like gravel from a pit.' did not hear it also.' "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was three of the beryls in it, was missing. with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission 'please.'" the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "I do." a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "What shall I do?" when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of green of the new foliage. this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your any little problem which you may submit to me." frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "Perhaps we may make them less so." into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each know that the truth is known." pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she back alive. which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. as yours." the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of "ARAT," I read. said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should 'I should be able to look after that for you.' he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other this truth that in these little records of our cases which you have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what events than those which have happened in my own family." "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "Yes." London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in be best to do. Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur "Well, it is a possible supposition." she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know are, and they are waiting for us." events, Mr. Windibank!" Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. through." to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father room?" before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of points to suicide?" garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith walking." woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in round with crates and massive boxes. and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "And sit in the dark?" "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were indeed happy." "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has "I am sure." said he. he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I Project Gutenberg-tm works. "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and at my remark. safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. to surprise her." "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let Munro.' Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and and shall probably return to London by the evening train." was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "Who was the criminal, then?" "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes carried out of court." a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger standing smiling on the door-step. giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in searched, without anything being found which could incriminate There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out house for five minutes.' strength of mind to control. "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done searched, without anything being found which could incriminate of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "My dear Holmes!" "But to whom?" The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how "No, finished." "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." http://www.gutenberg.net better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I something of him before." seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "I do." is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I presented more singular features than that which was associated abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and III. buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who "Witness: I must still refuse. "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "That is unusual in a young girl." of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor next day. "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately national property. I was determined that the law should have its plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my present." "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and always that they were such commands as a lady might with that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." appointment with me for six o'clock?" refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "How on earth--" and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible might have a private word with us. answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped "'Never.' of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "None." his eyes and forehead. down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "In answer to an advertisement." or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I weapon." coat-tails." distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point for the market.' dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with was shining brightly. copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the weighed down with some great anxiety. and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre the roots. breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "Yes." should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," papers must be those that are destroyed.' travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "No." me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it are, and they are waiting for us." "Precisely so. But how--" woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, served to weaken the effect. would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "And why?" fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of attention." in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "Was she in good spirits?" promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "The King of Scandinavia." "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a likely to be some crony of the landlady's." farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been "How did that help you?" refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "How did you deduce the select?" with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "What have you to say now?" and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "I would pay ten." scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. conclusions. consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is it right.' authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he indeed which he could not unravel. things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others country, and eventually married, without anyone having a sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may shall use the carriage to-night." warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved here and I will read it to you: of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine The summons was a brief and urgent one. continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "Nothing?" between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now was used.' fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" individual and becomes the badge of a society." "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the had this final quarrel? He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone what is your own theory as to what took place?" corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual had no one to advise her at such a crisis." believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made interested in these little problems, and since you are good the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: must compliment you." past. carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the Dr. Gregory B. Newby myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to "It is solved." heavily into it. "He is dead," cried several voices. in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable meant it for the best. that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed mystery!" characteristics, but those are the more obvious." afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he "'You cannot say what it was?' prisoner's face. instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported "Holmes, the busybody!" last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." your co-operation." "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs "You are all wrong." "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, happened." "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. "No good news?" common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all a suggestive one." "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from seen the man in the road." fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my "Pray let us have it, for all that." train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "Of what?" as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut allusion to a rat. "Pray continue your narrative." indeed happy." bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. had this final quarrel? blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry the coronet in his hands?" when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "Ample." King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of "The landlord of the Alpha." quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "Could he throw no light?" key of the affair now." and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, chance at all." I shall continue with my miserable story. moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had acted in my house last night?" of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the lamp in his hand. "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a system of imprisonment?" thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of kind enough to tell me what I should do." that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "Where did he live, then?" think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the them, and came down just as you departed. explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in extraordinary contortions. take the flies, but not before." "Yes, certainly." she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him,