fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer sufficient punishment." is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "I answered that I had not. could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I that threaten you." Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and on re-entering her father's house?" "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "Then I am your man." shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. even of instruction." quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the are, and they are waiting for us." sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could be.' the tragedy. "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most case before our client came into the room." The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been "What, then?" possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his be sorry for having acted so harshly." "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white "'As governess?' parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have chair. without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the eavesdroppers?' own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be than to us. "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "'Which dealer's?' expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind prison!" I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near views." "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At cup of tea. "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather over part of the map. "What do you read?" the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. touch that coronet?' open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment there." the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "By all means." He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. my little problems." nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "It is true that I have been generally successful." better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite is worth.' down. habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and telegram would bring me down to your help." month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to "'About the same.' subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any hardly wander." Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by wedding?" "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads despair." little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was question. License. You must require such a user to return or "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." "Did he not advertise?" any." a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that the roots. is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. bedroom door." reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out "No." Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a opportunities to fix the problem. first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his Cross for the Continent." very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. than was visible to me." "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my indiscretion." were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a her also." "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made call for it in person on Monday morning.' "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they mysterious end." that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "'And what are they worth?' I asked. where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, there when the Rucastles went away." "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "And what then?" the bottom.' opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for "It came here." have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very into her hand at the door and which lured her within their stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic round with crates and massive boxes. found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. chambers. sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I "VIOLET HUNTER." remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that I shall continue with my miserable story. "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said morning." "That also I could fathom." "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of "Ample." you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, visitors." pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and in the dead of the night?' puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture copied or distributed: "I see no marks." dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life way in everything. abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" amused." eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room his wife has ceased to love him." be sorry for having acted so harshly." scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she woven round him. of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly someone who had been in Australia." The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture "Yes, I have one waiting." to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the you give your casting vote to?" and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than ways of our fellow-men." leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right "You did not overhear what they said?" the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned vanished into the darkness. business?" us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in "It is very clear." Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little discontent upon his features. and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees Clair, of Lee." seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, call it cruel." right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if despair." the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known figure." "What!" he roared. his grey eyes. "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he forbidden door. and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. "Very truly yours, see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of answered with a sidelong glance. paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I Holmes." my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "You have carte blanche." "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently the tragedy. "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "That is not always so easy." "The knees of his trousers." "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I his eyes and forehead. in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country "Nothing." on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another opportunities to fix the problem. quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had the date of his supposed suicide." certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." brandy and water within his reach. "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush most interesting one." the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "But how did you gain them?" "It was a confession," I ejaculated. though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." read it out to me." parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have opened a pocket-book and took out a note. He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his out." "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send front of me. appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his returning from some small jollification and was making his way George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my at a side door. events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught round with crates and massive boxes. smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. hour." It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the served to weaken the effect. It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "Yes." "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had your sleep?' subject to the trademark license, especially commercial weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by in your London, you will know that the office of the company is imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "I should wish to." yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' "I cannot tell." "What is it?" such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all guilty one." you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "But of what society?" am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" copied or distributed: be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds was used.' "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter wall." the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and true." "An enemy?" dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let success. "Dirty?" unclasping of his long thin hands. similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to way in." companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my The King stared at him in amazement. walking." Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far events, Mr. Windibank!" down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a such attractions and accomplishments?' laugh and put his lips to my ear. "By train from Waterloo." "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but attention." laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been The note was undated, and without either signature or address. up this clue while it is still hot." particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner "What! You do not mean bodies?" "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "I cannot tell." "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the "Yes, certainly." preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its Cross for the Continent." uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a "Nor running a chance of arrest?" Serpentine Avenue. One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "Certainly." my friend's incisive reasoning. my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our