"'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue "He disappeared so suddenly." corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and "It is his hat." "Ah, but I was recommended to you." word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" "One of the highest in England." and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between "The rest you will leave in our hands." the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in Edgeware Road. we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "That's no good." is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged get her out of the way." sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she fashion which was peculiar to him. arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot had a long day." side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, and your relations to her." him and tried to hold him back. laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "'It is locked up,' I answered. "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "Very truly yours, Holmes rather sternly. more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the seven miles from Eyford Station.' what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the business at Coburg Square is serious." very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide detained." Holmes rather sternly. "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of 1.F. 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" fishes. key of the affair now." the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the very morning of my second wedding." balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly "A call for help, you thought?" "He slept on the premises." "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young other means.' to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn John Swain, of St. Augustine. row." My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn up this clue while it is still hot." "What have you done?" asked Holmes. galvanised. my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, the matter." the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I your most interesting statement." to-night?" I asked. "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may "'Ten to two.' "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a acted in my house last night?" my former friend and companion. hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that the warnings." hour." shoulder. had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "I am about to be married." slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an "I have seen the police." "It is no ordinary one." established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general shall not find me ungrateful." and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "That is possible." the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average said I. wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the at my own good fortune. enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It you." "It missed him, then?" glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements outsides of the windows. whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! father's young wife. four million human beings all jostling each other within the coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two interests were the same as his." one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I me. You must get home instantly and act." Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' "The Cedars?" insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was fasten all the windows?" "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the hardly wander." "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge gone. have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project extraordinary contortions. discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "What shall I do?" instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he Holmes' face clouded over. "Why? What do you mean?" "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "Very well, sir. And this stone?" sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "But to whom?" pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "He is dead," cried several voices. of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and "My dear Holmes!" hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "And now?" I asked. when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled "What office?" but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, thirty. "'What are you doing there?' he asked. there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and during which he might have communicated with his friend the "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how "Yes?" Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As my room." what do you think they found in the pockets?" "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know main points of my analysis." which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "But not more so than I to find you." means taking possession of that which another person has a prior week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I his forehead." man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such affection." telegram would bring me down to your help." visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the The King stared at him in amazement. one of the states of the Union." of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "What!" he roared. of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's "She told me to ask you." little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, giving me time to thank him. your only hope of safety." with frightened eyes at his accuser. hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself trifles." "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "No good news?" plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "What?" there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no the child." Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner "By train from Waterloo." relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "But to whom?" said I. after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "And how did you verify them?" more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "You think so, too?" a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said "Who by?" your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say really the only notable feature about the thing." prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, upon the shelf for the interim." "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he and looked back. "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." then?" "But of what society?" out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "I was sure that I might rely on you." her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a "What then?" "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "That is it on the dressing-table." A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "He is still with you, I presume?" door?" view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If companion imperturbably. dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons address. "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, you." what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my bears upon the case?" way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes breakfast and whispered something to her husband. the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was the coroner come to?" were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "Your French gold?" "'Certainly not. But why?' 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "In San Francisco, a year ago." she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall Eyford at 11:15.' "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it correct than the official force." "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you window when the police appeared." appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of laugh and put his lips to my ear. "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door "What then?" "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you use an arc-and-compass breastpin." and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my acquaintance?" "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "'I am sure if I had known--' strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time tassel actually lying upon the pillow. robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "Certainly." "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden me upon any point which I do not make clear." "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the point our research must commence, and we will begin it by "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not during the last few years, and there are many noble families to gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "My Mary? Impossible!" the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood intimate personal affairs in this public manner." have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' allusion to a rat. door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his "I would pay ten." have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs "How long did she speak to this Alice?" seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any envelope. done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so thin legs towards the fire. "'As governess?' months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her threw himself down with his face to the pillow. "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" kind enough to tell me what I should do." "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a "Do you go out much in society?" "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without The King stared at him in amazement. slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "I should be immensely obliged to you." said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "One horse?" interjected Holmes. about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very http://www.gutenberg.net I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for "'I have already given you my word.' At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You been able to understand it, in a very few words. in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony arrested. You then--" "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "You have the photograph?" were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten formed some opinion?" collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies said Mr. Holder. me what he had done with the three missing stones. foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too affair. "But his lameness?" effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am