stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "And why?" the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, new duties?' lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. and put his glass in his pocket. of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and that "Eh? What was that?" The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, ready to-morrow?' time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be villagers almost as much as their master. "You forget that I know nothing about it." "I say it is." "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," populous neighbourhood." compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the "And how?" turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and "'I have already given you my word.' "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." our word." "Yes." not interfere, come what may. You understand?" produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "Yes, there are nearly always some there." electronic works "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "And you don't know his address?" "I have a cab outside." down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered washing it down with a long draught of water. "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was lamp. pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, think that any burglar could have done. "I have hopes." away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment bird I ate is country bred." "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his details should find their way into the papers. Inspector you in your example." It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he "'About the same.' was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "My opinion is in no way altered." St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn to-morrow." through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "Absolutely none." is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There he died? learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been "That is it on the dressing-table." garden below. accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we the address that was given us in the advertisement. Project Gutenberg-tm works. problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen digesting their breakfasts at home." Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, "Where did you address your letters, then?" "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my Pope's Court, Fleet Street." "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "What! You do not mean bodies?" Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out a good hundred miles off by now." foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "Yes." walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair said he. to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of "'And the work?' description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that galvanised. "Your presence might be invaluable." to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An were wasted." look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried writers could invent nothing more crude." wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall at a side door. we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you For additional contact information: formed some opinion?" himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "But your client--" said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master pierced for earrings?" marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other what I may call a really hard day's work." What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." my room." "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." anything to do with the matter?" ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or populous neighbourhood." my former friend and companion. outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges it." scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "Witness: Nothing definite. a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: "Yes, certainly." spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. charged with?" corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "But to whom?" "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong we went to search for him, face downward in a little in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "And what did you see?" "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. and capable of preserving a secret.' doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. acquaintance?" "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." was a lad." "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on had no one to advise her at such a crisis." Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out looking up at the numbers of the houses." "Were they all fastened this morning?" the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "But how could you guess what the motive was?" the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in less than 26s. 4d. might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "But your client--" said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "It goes to the housekeeper's room." that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still all-comprehensive glances. do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly main points of my analysis." "And is that all?" Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." as noiselessly as she had come. travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, Have you good authority for what you say?" "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "What then?" call you and give you the chance." 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." the warnings." fluttered off among the others. was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir anything to do with the matter?" the best of training." comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing least a fellow-countryman. of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "Murdered?" "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "'Yes.' There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "What I expected to see." possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the me. saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss was feeling which was the fattest.' "'What do you call purely nominal?' "You saw the ventilator, too?" house for five minutes.' and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in have accepted such a situation. at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." village inn over there?" "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's crackling voice. would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "Perhaps I have." your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught late!' fasten all the windows?" the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a have established a very serious case against the son of the "And for present expenses?" understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. was a loud and authoritative tap. Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a I held the little printed slip to the light. to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put "No. What a strange idea!" had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked hurried by. off." "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." had picked up in the wood. our word." http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one not within a twentieth part of the market price." standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without trifles." coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which throat." thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this what is your own theory as to what took place?" was a loud and authoritative tap. an introduction to him?" "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining charged with?" a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "Yes, there are nearly always some there." assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say was lame." she used." minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "How can you tell that?" considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "To ruin me." let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his "No, thank goodness, she did not." A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "I have a cab outside." stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." other means.' bonnet, and went out." room?" assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll unprofitable." over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and confronted him. of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I good-night and bustled off upon her way. Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "Why, it's a dummy," said he. guilty one." "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "I answered that I had not. not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over Heh?' the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my was not a bird to be seen there. ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning train.' events than those which have happened in my own family." fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather footfalls from the street. have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present would apply.' 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most carried out of court." "Witness: Nothing definite. where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "But you can know nothing of this?" face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had chemical work which was so dear to him. "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. that you can jump it.' reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" "You are certainly joking, Holmes." street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at and looked back. formed some opinion?" to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears more terrible than the truth. an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some cigars in their mouths. as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up mystery may be cleared along those lines." heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The second." in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "What have you to say now?" to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter amused." Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a galvanised. loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and the address that was given us in the advertisement. throat." We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon