lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, noise which awoke you from your sleep?" paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "And it is--" "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the views." together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon observed. were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two both be extremely obliged.' these bleak autumnal evenings." we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." made his money." There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" get the tickets." *** START: FULL LICENSE *** 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the front of me. is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and any." twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming your billet.' "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My hand, madam?" roused himself from his reverie. left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, chamber." have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's any little problem which you may submit to me." extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the child?' something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "I cannot imagine." at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client bled considerably." shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "Has he come with you to-night?" "This concluded the examination of the witness." do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "What is it, then--a fire?" to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same "And how in the world did you find them?" first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note fatally injured? most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be of fine shops and stately business premises that they really I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this "Well, some hundreds of times." caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "Yes, it was twisted." for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve you, my dear young lady?' trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a details should find their way into the papers. Inspector bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall Have you good authority for what you say?" criminal. We have already had experience of such." you." and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought which are rolled in Rotterdam." complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with bill, which interests me deeply." "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so "'There is a drive, then?' finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you remarked. and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When imbecility!" he cried. "No bad?" "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, once more on the important position which you have been fortunate considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few locked. the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. do." saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and nights." room?" 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of matters immensely." him!" as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize entirely devoid of interest." "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, "And what did you see?" "'Is 4 pounds a week.' to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute noting anything else of interest. wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to spare." wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. think you a quite exceptional woman." "So I heard. You have him here?" assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and along the entire front of the house, with three long windows The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down think you a quite exceptional woman." "'And what salary do you ask?' which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? but preventing her from injuring another. Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair DISSOLVED. it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "'Is 4 pounds a week.' the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the them?" like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter new duties?' simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "But his left-handedness." a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp and wait." amused." the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these back into the street. body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the could gather together that I was able to avert another public "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning comes from the middle window." what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "You don't mind breaking the law?" up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he face and glided from the room. you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of "I have a cab outside." was keenly on my guard against him. have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his once more to my work. and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "Of what?" in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "This concluded the examination of the witness." three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. and the colonel ushered me in. society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." and capable of preserving a secret.' You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "May I see it?" upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have points in connection with it which never have been, and probably man. his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. showing my impatience. "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it works. be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into like that before?" in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "Very much so." There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" next day. "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "Yes, sir." house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my been with you?" "And is that all?" of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in standing smiling on the door-step. his forehead." even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "You have it, sir, just as it happened." that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as chambers. across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that it right.' prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. went to the Alpha were town bred." misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever to a more successful conclusion." "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the following enigmatical notices: avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls window when the police appeared." armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and "'Certainly not.' "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions constraint." Farm upon the left." quickly through a disagreeable task. shag which I had seen upon the previous night. reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook answer." again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "Certainly." Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since come either from the window or the door. My attention was you give your casting vote to?" "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "Where, then?" "It is solved." "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are writers could invent nothing more crude." labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones made his money." "Where, indeed?" "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very humiliation." second." delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that I nodded to show that I had heard. if I call to-morrow?" village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" feature." ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round I leave." most important business. It is probable that he will be away all me." "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the Mrs. Toller serenely. condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "I saw her in conversation with her maid." test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "Perfectly so." round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say to-night?' "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty words came to my lips. well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I me. You must get home instantly and act." "Did you become engaged then?" "No. What a strange idea!" sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora "Will you bet, then?" arrested. You then--" have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high you in your example." which our visitor detailed to us. "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror tear off another piece?' the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "'I am sure if I had known--' other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, plantation.' was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "By all means." the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "Yes." eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to his face which made him a very different person to the round, bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, as noiselessly as she had come. size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. at my remark. bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a "Will you go?" he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry "'Never.' cost them two and thirty pounds." have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's of the one which your family is now devouring." obstinate."