beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had that there was nothing in it, after all." tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "Get out!" said he. "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" without success. At last the little money which I had saved began back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "What! a murderous attack?" self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, test if we have an answer to our advertisement." Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; appeared upon the scene." stepfather?" into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "A greater distance to travel." of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "9th. McCauley cleared. "No. What a strange idea!" the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "Nothing." old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if and wait." Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. imbecility!" he cried. Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" obstinate." handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very that expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "It came here." Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door likely to be some crony of the landlady's." the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, 11:15.' work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 but preventing her from injuring another. and laid it on the table. "ARAT," I read. wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get ourselves in the office." foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then lectures into a series of tales." Holmes." back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. "Quite so." your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow "And why?" "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" "Where to?" received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with "Perhaps we may make them less so." bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "You have but to name it." "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the strength in the others." enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was "Do you receive much company?" he asked. in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house are, and they are waiting for us." Street. it were putty." respectable self." never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is to-night's adventure." got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his "And you can do nothing until then?" of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric a good hundred miles off by now." along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which than to us. would then never go into court at all." extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking in darkness. "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "And how did you find out?" "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in the stones. the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. during the last few years, and there are many noble families to "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened the morning and make my own way in the world.' "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" "The gentleman I describe." to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose in the port of London." was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not use an arc-and-compass breastpin." lips." charge against him will break down." thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see standing smiling on the door-step. been shamefully used." "And sit in the dark?" that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, question you as to those details which seem to me to be most have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his into her hand at the door and which lured her within their very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, he bowed and left the room without another word. should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "What have you done?" asked Holmes. of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. "Did you observe the colour?" as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "Yes, it was twisted." assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. minor matters until to-morrow." "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most with some details as to your case." "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock stammered. occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without The summons was a brief and urgent one. inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the "And help." police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the "At half-wages, in fact." "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe into the bag, and made for the door. remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been never came back." three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white The telegram which we eventually received came late one night and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "Very well, sir. And this stone?" conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn "'Ample.' understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, to a more successful conclusion." crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, know that the truth is known." "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after your billet.' overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" arrested. You then--" "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the nothing with him." where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made national property. I was determined that the law should have its metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" coroner's jury." and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "Was your sister dressed?" VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes the ceiling. computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by compunction about shooting them down." "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, electronic works importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' to me. think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our "I answered that I had not. strong reason behind." enter Dr. Roylott's room." be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am bled considerably." "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting dates and names. that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. "Certainly." "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between success. happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love sofa. This way, please!" pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned "That sounds a little paradoxical." note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp "But what harm can there be in that?" been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. his wife has ceased to love him." far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "The murder was done with it." too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not and inquire as to the address." knowledge of the world." charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly subject to the trademark license, especially commercial my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when unprofitable." were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let States. "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" house for five minutes.' "Of Friday, June 19th." bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with light and attacked it." "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the in my life." bell. Holmes whistled. passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes there." what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "A confidential servant?" bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "How did that help you?" started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the newspaper selections." in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. I leave." boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon man. knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he very morning of my second wedding." even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your Watson," he said cordially. from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved "Yes. He waved his hands." other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. I shall communicate with you." air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was said he. Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed do." Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, not, dad?" she asked. a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. "'Yes, I promise.' into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger London for the present?" of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "What will you say?" stalked out of the room. Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "I warn you that they are very incomplete." "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "I should like to see him very much." "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank mysterious business." wall." points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "He disappeared so suddenly." would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by there when the Rucastles went away." your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with "'You cannot say what it was?' impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would might help us?" him to go away.' we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet