"4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him in your London, you will know that the office of the company is scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many the date of his supposed suicide." sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and following enigmatical notices: Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "'Certainly,' I answered. It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done believe that I should never have any practice at all. "A client, then?" Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in in one or two places in England?' I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a forebodings. "'And the work?' guilty parties." which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "Come in!" said he. fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to have not had my rubber." "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "The best possible." four million human beings all jostling each other within the Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent neither fascinating nor artistic." Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a hurried by. it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." "Then how many are there?" making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "I cannot imagine." "In answer to an advertisement." carpenter." Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "Very. But will he see it?" rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to distance from the station, and there we found the young lady said he. strode off upon his way. truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. "He is still with you, I presume?" grasp, he hurried from the room. believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning events than those which have happened in my own family." during that time.' at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The "And how?" look upon these things in a different way." preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "By no means." by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited article?" of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his "None. Neville wrote those words." police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He wall." hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the is so. I know all about McCarthy." of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually success. bearing upon the case." http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project have an American origin." excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "A confidential servant?" blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up bare slabs of marble. "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "Pray continue your narrative." "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It you do it in twenty minutes!' "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" McCarthy." and have this put in the evening papers." paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got evidence," I remarked. "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable details." simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which a very grave face. "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "You did not overhear what they said?" to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she *** START: FULL LICENSE *** main points of my analysis." take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. desk. to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime empty. photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several Does that suggest anything?" us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the footfalls from the street. "Did you observe the colour?" fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. it? Did I buy the geese off you?" but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an lids now and glanced across at his visitor. She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily he bowed and left the room without another word. lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "Breckinridge is his name." an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel bird I ate is country bred." Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, behind me. neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "But you would not advise me to refuse?" seem to you to be relevant or not." "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, when you have done it." "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. shall not find me ungrateful." "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. pictures, libraries, or plate. the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were Holmes. dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "Certainly, madam." wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her and the church but not where the lady lived." outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." "No, I had a dozen." clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering despair." King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, my friend's incisive reasoning. soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her recall any case within my experience which looked at the first the running down." "No, but the enclosure is." the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel address. were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his locked. him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, own family. considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "Oh, yes, easily." Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon his cane at the bell-pull. that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed have had none more fantastic than this." before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "And you thought he was pulled back?" gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. to arrive at through this?" have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition "Then the page we have seen--" rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their "And for present expenses?" I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She fire. You quite follow me?" they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "Was there a secret marriage?" puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what you, my dear young lady?' VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the in one or two places in England?' "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in there in twenty minutes." "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows highly," said Holmes. down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the lamp in his hand. "'Ten to two.' it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past public press." Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can be there in time for your coming." fat-encircled eyes. Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon "I have seen the police." slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' voice. "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "He said too much." relief. "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said forehead. it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. relation between them, and what the object of his repeated produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with "Look there!" said he. lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "You have it, sir, just as it happened." have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set swore that no one else had been in the front room during the as he folded up the epistle. with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to ready to-morrow?' took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, breakfast?" the bottom.' without a word or a look. "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a ways including including checks, online payments and credit card To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard triumphant cloud from his cigarette. done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps will find little credit to be gained out of this case." instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I think that he is innocent?" but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, "I will not look." brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a behind me. completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque upon a handsome competence. had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that looking up at the numbers of the houses." to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I one of them." would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a "Proceed, then." "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire threw himself down with his face to the pillow. him to be an active member of the medical profession." generous with you in money matters.' shoulder; "he's all right." I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the point in the dark hollow of his hand. known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced room. which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per minor matters until to-morrow." pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming fish-monger and a tide-waiter." would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere me have 200 pounds?' "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "The Coroner: What do you mean? Leadenhall Street--and--" in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless disturbance in my wife." possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the and I shall be with you presently." were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to gentleman's clothes. out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my "This photograph!" the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this photograph?" keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another heavy and sharp instrument." remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of if she died from some sudden fright." goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited conclusions. whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "And I." knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "One of the highest in England." "'And what are they worth?' I asked. was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, danger is over." "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other most important business. It is probable that he will be away all money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. be sorry for having acted so harshly." know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "Nothing?" "But to whom?" scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of knowledge of the world." who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. a suggestive one." finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the has little to do with my story."