besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous lectures into a series of tales." "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "Imitated." lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I to where he stood hid behind the curtain. remarked. purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my children over to America with him, so that I found myself without together. and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with mystery." "That sounds a little paradoxical." "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never "Yes, I have one waiting." glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "'Ten to two.' those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I are, I think, all that we need." "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of "Pray let us have it, for all that." explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "Pray do so." "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "What can you not understand?" have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, that he will be back before evening." laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that daring than any effort of the imagination." lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small feature." "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had daring than any effort of the imagination." "Where, then?" "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the suggested at once that there must be a communication between the office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." must compliment you." experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," a good hundred miles off by now." and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary 1.F. his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "It was." status with the IRS. good for you to do.' taking in every detail of the apartment. temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he purpose of examination. quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the tapping his fingers upon the table. that the gas is not laid on in his house?" sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "Yes." prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." outside. have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just his eyes and forehead. chemical work which was so dear to him. posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his for and were ordered to this address. fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' what these perils are?" the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "In answer to an advertisement." pressing in one house as in another. ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of said he. unprecedented a position." "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "None." "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far direction." other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, think that any burglar could have done. and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method "'Certainly not. But why?' Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "You forget that I know nothing about it." eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a read over the extraordinary announcement. eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman she used." comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of once more. really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "What?" opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "No bad?" comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "The doctor?" writers could invent nothing more crude." and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me have I gained?" round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they have established a very serious case against the son of the Lee, in the county of Kent." whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. of the efforts of the United States government and of the better into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "But I am all in the dark." eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every Project Gutenberg-tm works. The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "Quite so." "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that speckled band?" multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three individual and becomes the badge of a society." graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg village inn over there?" heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very chambers. "And that is--" A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "Yes." "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may "Very. But will he see it?" "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a and all of them with the keenest interest. of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the fat-encircled eyes. returned to France?" There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "Yes, sir." "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to "She told me to ask you." minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the his face which made him a very different person to the round, "And that is--" Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the tied." spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "May I see it?" took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a "Never." Street. test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "I cannot as yet see any connection." events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official You want to know what became of those geese?" the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical tied." showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the "Yes." me where it went to?" "'And what salary do you ask?' "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called it with his own hands." hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet few hundred pounds.' "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She he bowed and left the room without another word. opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, matter." bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, have an American origin." Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which breakfast?" the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors what is your own theory as to what took place?" doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round weary and pale-looking. that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical wife's character?" putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life few hundred pounds.' "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of Literary Archive Foundation it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, himself. drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "I think that I had better go, Holmes." the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "I am following you closely," I answered. other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and thin, with a long, sharp nose?" third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the them, and came down just as you departed. "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder correct than the official force." correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the October 9, 1890. black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, second." "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." fasten all the windows?" time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this enough to aid us in our search." his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is was used.' or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send "That is easily got." cigars in the box." harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "And help." other lovers by making love himself." his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring "There are none." these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. confronted him. "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very shall not find me ungrateful." ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "Ha! you find it so?" the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too the ceiling. "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious II. going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying drawing your inferences." nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "By train from Waterloo." and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking the bed, and you in that chair." Project Gutenberg-tm works. "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an London for the present?" he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some gbnewby@pglaf.org it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel I. Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did such person." while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "I fear not." the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He appeared upon the scene." "Certainly, madam." companion quietly. sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I and shall probably return to London by the evening train." a suggestive one." into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that "'And the work?' appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "That you are never beaten." bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary everything which you would wish to know." situation." unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which father's young wife. the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our and the colonel ushered me in. daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with "Yes." confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on