ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the directors have had misgivings upon the subject." I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that "Then, as to money?" look dissatisfied." said I. didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the it? Did I buy the geese off you?" "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and to where he stood hid behind the curtain. The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it mysterious business." thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "But you have hopes?" purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly to tell." Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately your equipment. delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who generous with you in money matters.' married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a chance." again, where I was soon asleep. the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry chair. hour." colour had been driven from his face. Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the my room." Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too three fields round his house, and there he would take his and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and now. It seems that there had been some informality about their a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" "It is a murder, then?" "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** already been minutely examined." yet." "So it appears." "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." friends, not even his own brother. of it with the greatest attention. the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I that before taking the final step I should like to submit the to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came will be renamed. way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his notes," he said. coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was "To an English lawyer named Norton." rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main been able to understand it, in a very few words. is now desirous of getting those letters back." puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. "Yes, I have one waiting." be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "What! Had he lost his wife?" guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the just called myself is not exactly my own." stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might "In which, sir?" set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should "A greater distance to travel." question you as to those details which seem to me to be most hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "You are all wrong." peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may http://www.gutenberg.net Serpentine Avenue. address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "What, then?" "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, she used." Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some "Not I." "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, promised to bring home. weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in seven miles from Eyford Station.' have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. in. a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, "I cannot say that I have." the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing read it out to me." "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up the dangers which encompass me." hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without the matter?" himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would are, I think, all that we need." to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "How did you trace it, then?" over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "Witness: I must still refuse. "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter and looked back. upon the white wrist. "Not particularly." "And how did you verify them?" round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, a suggestive one." wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "And sit in the dark?" exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. is worth.' I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future the stones. that he will be back before evening." house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the "I cannot as yet see any connection." "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "But I am all in the dark." the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "And your father? Did you tell him?" Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "But you have hopes?" more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have over part of the map. "What do you read?" I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely will find little credit to be gained out of this case." simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "Why? What do you mean?" between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists was lame." speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "How are you getting on?" One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "I am sure." no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled "One of his hands." are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "It came here." ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed "No, but the enclosure is." tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "'What then?' I asked. bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to "I know where it is." money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." "And I say east," said my patient. man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, open." before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." house for five minutes.' "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to populous neighbourhood." at my remark. journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, "If so, much may have happened between." from you?" "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after the ceiling. the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the Sutherland. events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "How often?" exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was we went to search for him, face downward in a little having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man detained." and the colonel ushered me in. well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit help us in this matter." peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little girl said." "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn acquaintance?" "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and "Two days later this same performance was gone through under go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. off." penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "It must be recovered." murdered man." "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was will find little credit to be gained out of this case." British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the sneer upon his pale face. and shall probably return to London by the evening train." to-night?" I asked. street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My that the gas is not laid on in his house?" terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step may never be exposed to such a temptation." lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and to surprise her." once more to my work. "What will you say?" sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important "I say that I have solved it." intrusion of other matters." was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." hereditary King of Bohemia." enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The a good hundred miles off by now." extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales not personally threatened." hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was there!' has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "You heard nothing yourself last night?" stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress pound a week." dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his if only as a check to my own memory." We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at most interesting one." have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these has little to do with my story." slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both future lives." hands. and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved extraordinary contortions. papers." "But I am all in the dark." The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He evidence," I remarked. cigars in the box." Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "It surprised me." stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over in this way: servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her imbecility!" he cried. "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting to-night?' It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the him to go away.' never came back." In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the at my remark. "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is over here." "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "Then you may entirely rely on me." chambers. does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note "You will not go there first?" "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "Do you know him?" "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "What office?" even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "The King of Scandinavia." it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless of a light. his huge brown hands. "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "And how?" "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, triumphant cloud from his cigarette. no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the Dr. Gregory B. Newby commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, have got?" the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices