One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I could not have written that. It is the German who is so unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. any more." explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the "One?" "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered stalked out of the room. "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "And help." "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "But she could not love him." "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "This concluded the examination of the witness." could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be generous with you in money matters.' profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very gbnewby@pglaf.org Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "Then, as to money?" could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt crime." maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "Did you observe the colour?" adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon "That was it, sir." "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint business." however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." fasten all the windows?" began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it some city in a dream. over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my thirty. "But the mystery?" sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' leave you to your papers for a little." more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the once more to my work. purpose equally well?" and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains records." without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" to a more successful conclusion." colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "Yes, the wine-cellar." "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just ran thus: the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as "What! You do not mean bodies?" wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "She walked into the breakfast-room." adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." followed. "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the it with his own hands." tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "Of what?" "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the be best to do. They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "Nothing?" of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." said he, "my real name is James Ryder." entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." carriage. It was a chestnut." "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "No more words. Get out!" certainly do as you advise." "Game for a morning drive?" that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the 'please.'" "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "But how?" years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "The vanishing of the lady." "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and entirely lost his self-respect." address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting used to be." which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other to me. back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "9th. McCauley cleared. o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes disappearance of the bride.'" not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear three fields round his house, and there he would take his very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning From what you have told me I think that it is possible that so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "I was certainly surprised to find you there." which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just touch that coronet?' "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "'You cannot say what it was?' weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all nice household for a young lady." and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying this unhappy family?" "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "A greater distance to travel." purpose of examination. pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen "Come in!" said he. explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you tear off another piece?' be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His everything which you would wish to know." "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, hopeless attempt at recovering them." "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained The King stared at him in amazement. they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which what I may call a really hard day's work." the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, "How many? I don't know." position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The true." "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric hereditary King of Bohemia." "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between ready to-morrow?' particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the "'Quite sure, dad.' morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some out of this horrible affair." hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "Of what day?" deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES details should find their way into the papers. Inspector lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built purpose of examination. of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either is," said he presently: of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his bare slabs of marble. away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls ill-usage at the hands of fortune. walking." in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to at my own good fortune. upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it may never be exposed to such a temptation." discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps way in everything. it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, note?" It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "This photograph!" "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there any little problem which you may submit to me." once more to my work. end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid think that he is innocent?" swore that no one else had been in the front room during the the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but during that time.' I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I of." purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie been deceived." is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander miles off. himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the hopeless attempt at recovering them." I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second could go. this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "Because he was handy and would come cheap." full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of even of instruction." object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." the window, rose as we entered. foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "Where did he live, then?" were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must points in connection with it which never have been, and probably the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "This photograph!" sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his once more for Briony Lodge. "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both round and wave him away like that.' was a perfect sample of the class. to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we ashen face. had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William to surprise her." "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, to tackle the facts." "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant anything to do with the matter?" Sutherland?" "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so bore every mark of being an average commonplace British of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "What shall I do?" obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious front of me. he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. following enigmatical notices: covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon question," said Holmes, smiling. when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless few hundred pounds.' lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon true." known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that "Certainly." "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I But Holmes shook his head gravely. posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "You have it, sir, just as it happened." "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any touch that coronet?' to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "What?" "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "The landlord of the Alpha." fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "No." her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay certainly do as you advise." you came in." which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "Then how many are there?" "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the criminal. We have already had experience of such." exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and to-morrow." "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "I am about to be married." "But you were on a friendly footing?" for the market.' wedding?" could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are entirely devoid of interest." absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens front of me. five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss "I was certainly surprised to find you there." the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and yourselves in at night?" them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "Yes." done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in