at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "And who is her maid?" civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper down from London to inquire more deeply into it." mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here "Could he throw no light?" came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the The King stared at him in amazement. years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly even so self-evident a thing as that." I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "My dear Holmes!" realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "I have solved it." daring than any effort of the imagination." Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "She showed me, as I told you she would." the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose someone who had been in Australia." "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any "I was afraid that you were engaged." stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was main points of my analysis." agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few the room while you explain this matter?" down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. and the whole place is in a blaze." stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to skylight. his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be have got?" "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are his cane at the bell-pull. same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "What! a murderous attack?" and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we in darkness. Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "And that is--" "That is possible." of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in problems help me to do so." mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to joking. against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence II. Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from next day. poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when affair. used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, people in all walks of life. to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such some terrible trap for her." hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "Certainly, madam." with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not envelope. still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "It is his hat." "But what harm can there be in that?" you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was been." position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front papers diligently of late, have you not?" present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The during the last few years, and there are many noble families to day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of families. Now for the facts. "Here?" "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "This photograph!" therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a to talk it over. fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking occurred." his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came "Yes, he did." "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to enter into my head. walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute and effective." His smile broadened. to miss it." October 9, 1890. see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and had died away into the silence from which it rose. caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five "Not social, then?" house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down out of this horrible affair." happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which hard-headed British jury." slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of bears upon the case?" and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, just called myself is not exactly my own." useful material for showing traces. The double line a little interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. of this gang." been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an "'Ample.' comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold one else, I think." success. than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was threw himself down with his face to the pillow. It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was leave you to your papers for a little." well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous "Certainly." man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "But you can know nothing of this?" companion imperturbably. faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster system of imprisonment?" again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and make me his representative both with the servants and with the The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A it." result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I "And on what day did he meet his death?" thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some and a shock of very red hair. "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "Imitated." Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm directors have had misgivings upon the subject." and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "Yes, from Horsham." "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is voice. watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "Seven!" I answered. as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life to talk it over. glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. me what he had done with the three missing stones. "And how in the world did you find them?" union?" him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "By no means." Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "But you can know nothing of this?" colour had been driven from his face. the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "Which surely he restored to their owner?" size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. photograph?" column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It man. I know him from the photograph." own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in dramatic, in fact." beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "Where is it, then?" that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. despair." "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar so far?" "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "Do you know him?" head. So long, then!" "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to "But how will you look?" whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, outside. deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong weigh very heavily upon my conscience." when your master had gone out." strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat not interfere, come what may. You understand?" there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "Witness: It was. hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening Munro.' asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. death." "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third Holmes. very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think was it brought him the coronet? A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by for its centre. 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more way in." sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." page at http://pglaf.org the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other unprofitable." reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the shoulder. acted in my house last night?" "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens "Of what?" no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' "Quite so. She has her freedom." indeed which he could not unravel. "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly the child." lumber-room." ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "Here?" It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in promised to bring home. chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to closing the door. "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience it were putty." "Yes." "I see many objections to any such theory." the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since himself. to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked nights." "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "Then I do not see the point." narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net have not had my rubber." village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "I see no marks." "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "Then I shall certainly come." instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the face and glided from the room. horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more rose-bushes. houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the do.' actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some is a common subject for conversation. against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the vault. notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "It is his hat." it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him directly by questioning you." diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new other, as fresh and trim as possible. shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a "Pray let us have it, for all that." of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence present strange and interesting features that it is no easy It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off murdered man." it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "It is half-past ten now." have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always delighted to hear it," he said. the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" "You are certainly joking, Holmes." Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece "Well?" "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow morning." carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with "'What then?' I asked. which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the