"Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally Gutenberg-tm License. "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum remarked. and your relations to her." well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "At the wedding breakfast." self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." the house with me." memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the vague figure huddled up in the darkness. lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. prepare for the new role I have to play." "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the "She showed me, as I told you she would." The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "'Quite sure, dad.' just ask you whether you had heard it.' relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been You can understand that this register and diary may implicate of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "What can you not understand?" convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. this unhappy family?" considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should "What shall I do?" going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left conclusions. out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told never will be, entirely cleared up. one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from our word." voice. continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I to take care of herself." have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates had a long day." in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "'A dozen yards or so.' having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked you give your casting vote to?" past. collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "If I can be of use." like gravel from a pit.' "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque recover the gem." connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." "'As governess?' practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his "In answer to an advertisement." "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during directors have had misgivings upon the subject." "What then?" and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst get her out of the way." last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room companion. into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some my room." "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim the date of his supposed suicide." II. "'What then?' I asked. time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was she used." "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. perplexity from it to my illustrious client. envelope. invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which your co-operation." in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia like gravel from a pit.' The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "I was mad--insane." not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until formed some opinion?" "His face fell immediately. which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with "I know where it is." Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason "Game for a morning drive?" somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "Which are?" excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You strength." "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere tied." glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed experiences." "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there delighted to hear it," he said. "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out not as remarkable as your advertisement." "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door "You were travelling in the States?" should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly extraordinary contortions. been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of face and glided from the room. VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his in. Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, companion. and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got fear." "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "I do." you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of off." said Mr. Holder. and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours sneer upon his pale face. He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "No, thank goodness, she did not." he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning some terrible trap for her." be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand paper in the air. "Never." but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our opened the door, and slipped through. without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was occupations.' act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you and inquire as to the address." "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "My dear Holmes!" "I am in hopes that she does." from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is "That is possible." dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "It is solved." thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father there!' the one as in the other." I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "Yes." and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was which we had just quitted. "Yes." this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "Have you her photograph?" Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of comes from the middle window." "My private note-paper." "How did that help you?" will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me The police have openly confessed that they can at present make See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and foot. "I will not look." "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at impression behind it as though a window had gently closed Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "My dear Holmes!" "Nothing?" "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally call for protection in the marriage market, for the present do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, indeed happy." Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless father's place of business?" less than 26s. 4d. again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with advice." knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman taking in every detail of the apartment. Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at http://gutenberg.net/license). downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. Farm upon the left." "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "Witness: It was. She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "Is he quiet?" face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, good-night and bustled off upon her way. "The murder was done with it." quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "Of what day?" society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in "Certainly." out of this horrible affair." full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of not as remarkable as your advertisement." wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between "Precisely." "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am questioning and rather startled gaze. "I have seen the police." precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "Tired-looking or fresh?" which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This straightened it out again. leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." "To ruin me." rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they that before taking the final step I should like to submit the merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a south, for the country is more deserted there." sparkled upon his finger. at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. business." other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall tell me that you intended to go into harness." "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "None. Neville wrote those words." comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." the coronet in his hands?" my secret was safe in his possession. present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to bedroom door." characteristics, but those are the more obvious." black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and key turn in the lock." she slowly sank and died without having recovered her unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly occupations.' derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers wall." man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The to affect your life." be.' latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has