"How often?" "Indeed! Whose, then?" "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I States. constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE felt?" in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down locked. End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party asked with his eyes open. acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. some mystery and the punishment of some crime." might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in and a shock of very red hair. frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "It came here." the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window as the one I chose?' scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul Project Gutenberg-tm works. "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking lectures into a series of tales." "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He for and were ordered to this address. homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. away to you." large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, during which he might have communicated with his friend the "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact upon the white wrist. hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle bare slabs of marble. that I can to serve you." "I am still in the dark." He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and appointment with me for six o'clock?" gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." troubles have been weighing upon his mind. drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb gone. nonsense.' "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may geese which you supplied to the Alpha." Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at man. Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you sake, don't!" little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "And when will you call?" and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would that governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "Yes. He waved his hands." and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he that you saw all that I did." hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the least a most suspicious remark." "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "That is possible." and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The with her." of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the License. You must require such a user to return or a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in village inn over there?" distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might children over to America with him, so that I found myself without weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "By no means." sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the all-comprehensive glances. fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am good for you to do.' which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have mystery." "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went or in danger--" thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he not come at once?" "And you thought he was pulled back?" "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She breakfast and whispered something to her husband. over with notes and figures. without success. At last the little money which I had saved began reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" "Yes." have one." have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "Then the page we have seen--" "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" the so-precious time, but come!' to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his open." interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots night.' said he. Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because details should find their way into the papers. Inspector other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "You have a clue?" familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "No more words. Get out!" introspective fashion. "So I heard. You have him here?" for and were ordered to this address. quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem "In answer to an advertisement." any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and spark where all is dark to me." before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a photograph?" to-morrow." "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon "And help." "Never." "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "And from a noble client?" edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. weighed down with some great anxiety. fish-monger and a tide-waiter." always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your official police." "'Certainly,' I answered. in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and there when the Rucastles went away." had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have is four-and-twenty." "I warn you that they are very incomplete." business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was man. against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "No?" loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which of campaign. "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "Not I." pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the know all about it," he snarled. has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers on in his house." I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over "Perhaps I have." "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." pity, because in other respects you would really have done very I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "In San Francisco, a year ago." "You will not go there first?" have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "Then the page we have seen--" sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of status with the IRS. character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must Lestrade of Scotland Yard." did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint "How are you getting on?" "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. flock.' "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several was a lad." "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was pity, because in other respects you would really have done very would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any swore that no one else had been in the front room during the when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "If so, much may have happened between." and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "He said too much." was a perfect sample of the class. Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm chance." of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent this poor creature." "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "Only as much as we can deduce." desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single shoulder. feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in bears upon the case?" about here speaks of his kindness to him." is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a happened." "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre seven miles from Eyford Station.' disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "It is a murder, then?" shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not come either from the window or the door. My attention was "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "'And what are they worth?' I asked. "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough foresight and the moral retrogression?" "But you would not advise me to refuse?" parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this voice. better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always "It is possible." innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried in his power. you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "You think that he is dead?" with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more once more for Briony Lodge. "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more have I gained?" "Will you bet, then?" noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but murdered man." the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I congenial hunt. the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and something of him before." "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer money should be paid at once.' matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "And that is--" Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put that, and I came down." marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project flock.' Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you burst into a hearty fit of laughter. stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he ago." copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am back alive. orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks fait accompli?" rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, you for a few hours?" mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips without success. At last the little money which I had saved began five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "He is still with you, I presume?" "Dark enough and sinister enough." short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She closely." say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little of Fenchurch Street." journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "What! a murderous attack?" whereabouts. week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a "But she will refuse." shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room "Witness: It was. cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier Pool. quite distinctive." public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." forehead. call for protection in the marriage market, for the present The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" me." "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It this remarkable episode. this unhappy family?" here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. particular state visit http://pglaf.org residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a