of it with the greatest attention. to miss it." to his chemical studies. with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "My opinion is in no way altered." without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though both be extremely obliged.' corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "Yes." of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is chemical work which was so dear to him. "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes I nodded again. "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. must compliment you." "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and room. Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and crackling voice. English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your already been minutely examined." "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely with you alone." eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when "How on earth--" "And your mother is alive?" "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed must compliment you." time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have carriage. It was a chestnut." "Then I shall certainly come." met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but himself to tell his story. everything which you would wish to know." slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it is," said he presently: waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and "Then I shall certainly come." a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the Miss Holder?" after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in Street. "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit other lovers by making love himself." Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "The King of Scandinavia." terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "Pray be precise as to details," said he. stepfather?" and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. residence of the great financier. way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other this Miss Turner." "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." that you can jump it.' impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way "Very well, sir. And this stone?" observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with any." I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible For additional contact information: that the gas is not laid on in his house?" the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "He disappeared so suddenly." lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had from you?" you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you said Mr. Holder. Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 "Entirely." knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a nothing with him." leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his I leave." read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "BALLARAT." Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. our word." definite end. giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. what I may call a really hard day's work." unkempt, staring out at me. hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking really the only notable feature about the thing." "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the the matter." by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would Surrey." "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of obstinate." future lives." time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. name is different." "'A dozen yards or so.' desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "'Never.' Young McCarthy must be got off, however." Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic me." father's place of business?" considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It less than 26s. 4d. "That is unusual in a young girl." is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged you." are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the that he has suffered." "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "'Entirely.' own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "Not yet." "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at lost nothing by them." "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, these bleak autumnal evenings." "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the hour?' companion. "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "I do." "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." "In San Francisco, a year ago." ceremony." "You saw the ventilator, too?" "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "Yes." thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "Thank you. Pray proceed." the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the constraint." saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter His name is Francis Prosper." with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The that you wished to speak to me?' heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, which we had just quitted. With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police fire. You quite follow me?" door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, again on its way. it means?" protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, "None. Neville wrote those words." was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging "She told me to ask you." force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "I don't believe it." her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice face and glided from the room. lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at You can understand that this register and diary may implicate truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his "I am to be neutral?" possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil brandy and water within his reach. of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "But of what society?" "Ah!" "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. that before taking the final step I should like to submit the a little more before I quite committed myself. "'I am sure that I do not know.' in a friendly supper." Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord "Of what?" "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' without a word or a look. copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a Literary Archive Foundation "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back married her." stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were your own bird, so if you wish--" last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "How on earth--" he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the me." "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a floor. "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, fasten all the windows?" very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, his huge brown hands. "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "I cannot think." were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in thirty. "We must have a cab." skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew nonsense.' "None. Neville wrote those words." following enigmatical notices: to that open window." he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon she has been waylaid. There has been no result." chemical work which was so dear to him. broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "Pray do so." door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "'Where to?' little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the upon the sideboard." he. the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. unprofitable." "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only Edgeware Road. rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he his forehead." London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the started for the Temple to see my husband. address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "Was your sister dressed?" nights." facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the highroad, where all traces were lost. who was a member of your goose club." Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "One horse?" interjected Holmes. breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "This concluded the examination of the witness." It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! heavily into it. than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "And it is--" business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When "I think that it is very probable." Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so "And I say east," said my patient. scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and coroner's jury." "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "My dear Holmes!" cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, crime." you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve residence of the great financier. force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. and looked back. which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of visitors." seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental "You'll never persuade me to believe that." his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "The gentleman I describe." believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that coroner's jury." The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "I am to be neutral?" glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you the matter." mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly at my remark. "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "Yes, the wine-cellar." the roots. quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing weapon." back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. to have that photograph." had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between "You have a clue?" waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was away into the river." cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be sufficient punishment." "I would pay ten." down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "Yes. He waved his hands." this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "And now?" He raised his hand. I leave." you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing my secret was safe in his possession. to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. foot. particular state visit http://pglaf.org "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "'About the same.' feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "'Very good.' We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I any." broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, "My photograph." "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "Dr. Becher's." sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I which I could not give. He asked for Alice. Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "Only as much as we can deduce." "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his I am not easy in my mind about them." "Yes." "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and