that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "What will you say?" husband's writing, madam." singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "Yes, sir." cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted with her." hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a chance at all." "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." "She told me to ask you." upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once with frightened eyes at his accuser. "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which be best to do. flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and Street. man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon shall not find me ungrateful." Holmes rather sternly. relation between them, and what the object of his repeated be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my quite distinctive." "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight locked. "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can during the last few years, and there are many noble families to ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly "Tired-looking or fresh?" the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his "Precisely." own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good ago." to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I cheerful." fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side fact, we may call it conclusive." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our newspaper selections." manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. Pope's Court, Fleet Street." and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "ARAT," I read. been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept suggested at once that there must be a communication between the chambers. was once confined in the cab my mission was practically Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, "The Cedars?" sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and leaning back in his chair. "In San Francisco, a year ago." right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which him to go away.' address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall cheerful." good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' I shall communicate with you." of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "Certainly." prison!" explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of "You are all wrong." Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest there was no need for father to know." standing smiling on the door-step. feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads wife's character?" hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I "My private note-paper." address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late that?' correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "Eh? What was that?" could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I imbecility!" he cried. him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who always that they were such commands as a lady might with wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "If so, much may have happened between." man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his go--none." of campaign. glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come your co-operation." nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon notes," he said. Leadenhall Street--and--" that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "I have come for advice." engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such papers must be those that are destroyed.' And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this our word." people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away that?' glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. fled together." "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder away into the river." lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or Serpentine Avenue. "What of the rat, then?" his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity said I. the station." "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have to-morrow." papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "But to whom?" don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "Yes." from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised congratulate you again." "Then you may entirely rely on me." He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his Leave Paddington by the 11:15." confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a depend upon my doing so.' week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, bled considerably." "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "The best possible." "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. hard-headed British jury." "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "I have come for advice." events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I business in the City. She little knew what. understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the secret." Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "Why did you pick him?" The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat fire. You quite follow me?" it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." indiscretion." thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I meant." shoulder; "he's all right." imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "Why, what do you mean?" were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get and all of them with the keenest interest. "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "By all means." questioning and rather startled gaze. description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! him to be an active member of the medical profession." repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem whether it answered to the description of any of their thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old appointment with me for six o'clock?" the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" everything which you would wish to know." "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him weighed down with some great anxiety. "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" asked. when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished morning." client, rising. as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if cost them two and thirty pounds." public press." have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and with some details as to your case." so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. call it cruel." will find little credit to be gained out of this case." reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of troubles have been weighing upon his mind. "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." with you?" owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "I say that I have solved it." blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at your only hope of safety." from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who is," said he presently: License. You must require such a user to return or "I think that I had better go, Holmes." wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that go from here to the Strand." appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "From his hat?" sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely man. I know him from the photograph." rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have Count Von Kramm." cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "One of the highest in England." dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "I have a cab outside." "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have characteristics, but those are the more obvious." round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my danger is over." form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable examine." I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "Was he the only applicant?" mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if against a man in the prime of life?" and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the off." observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a "No." "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "Nor running a chance of arrest?" he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know your co-operation." "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold fluttered off among the others. "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "It surprised me." flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, had formerly been in part my own. "My photograph." by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend "Look there!" said he. rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, morning." "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "And who is her maid?" "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally indiscretion." made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There hurried away. confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 rooms." "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a "It is very kind of you." greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which must compliment you." have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, to Leatherhead. vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about prove to be little relation between the different incidents of shall use the carriage to-night." all that?" "Oh, the cause is excellent!" abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At second." "How often?" consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at situation." "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded you." police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. to-night." swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & as noiselessly as she had come. tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his newspaper selections." forebodings. "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of business." mystery may be cleared along those lines." "But I have heard all that you have heard." "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his to talk it over. whatever might befall. petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the call for it in person on Monday morning.' means taking possession of that which another person has a prior it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of "Perhaps I have." that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with himself to tell his story. his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "No sign of it?" half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" where we are going." "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said "It came here." wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "That is also quite modern," said the lady. envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the